Infantilization, civilization, and child abuse

Abstract

This paper attempts to present something of a cultural historical context in order to be able to talk about corporal punishment. Or, even more generally, it presents the cultural historical background of our feelings and perceptions of child abuse in general. First the infantilization process is discussed, that is the increasing duration of childhood over the centuries. Then, by using the ideas of Norbert Elias on the civilizing process, an explanation is given of why this process took place, and, finally, our modern inacceptance of child abuse is explained from this particular perspective.

Keywords:

• Infantilization
• History of childhood
• Child abuse
• Civilization and affect control