Philippe Ariès (historian)

Philippe Ariès was a French historian known for studying the history of childhood and how people's perceptions of children and family life have changed over time. He explored how attitudes toward children, parenting, and childhood responsibilities evolved from the Middle Ages to modern times. Ariès argued that childhood is a historical and cultural construct, meaning that ideas about what childhood is and how children should be treated have varied across different eras. His work helps us understand that our contemporary views on childhood are shaped by historical developments, rather than being universal or natural.