Description
Book SynopsisAt one time, the use of corporal punishment by parents in child-rearing was considered normal, but in the second half of the nineteenth century this begin to change, in Quebec as well as the rest of the Western world. It was during this period that the extent of ill-treatment inflicted on childrenâtreatment once excused as good child-rearing practiceâwas discovered. This book analyzes both the advice provided to parents and the different forms of child abuse within families. Cliche derives her information from family magazines, reports and advice columns in newspapers, people's life stories, the records of the Montreal Juvenile Court, and even comic strips. Two dates are given particular focus: 1920, with the trial of the parents of Aurore Gagnon, which sensitized the public to the phenomenon of "child martyrs;" and 1940, with the advent of the New Education movement, which was based on psychology rather than strict discipline and religious doctrine. There has always been child abuse. What has changed is society's sensitivity to it. That is why defenders of children's rights call for the repeal of Section 43 of the Canadian Criminal Code, which authorizes "reasonable" corporal punishment. Abuse or Punishment? considers not only the history of violence towards children in Quebec but the history of public perception of this violence and what it means for the rest of Canada.
Trade Review"If the government can't effectively regulate short line railways, it can't regulate the subtleties of parenting. Still they try. For twenty years advocates have sought repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code that sanctions 'reasonable' spanking to correct youngters' behaviour. It was written in 1892 by a Catholic justice minister with nine children, and survived court challenges and parliamentary hearings.... Abuse or Punishment is a lively investigation of spanking rooted in Biblical law and family culture. Cliche examines corporal punishment in Old Québec dating from the nineteenth century, but the research would interest any parent anywhere." -- Holly Doan -- Blacklock's Reporter, April 4, 2015, 201506
Table of ContentsTable of Contents for Abuse or Punishment? Violence toward Children in Quebec Families, 1850-1969 by Marie-Aimée Cliche, W. Donald Wilso, translator List of Tables and Boxes List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Part I In the Good Old Days: A Rural Society, 1850-1919 Chapter 1 A Discourse Full of Good Intentions Chapter 2 Everyday Violence within Families, 1850-1919 Part II An Urban Society, 1920-1939 Chapter 3 Aurore Gagnon, the "Child Martyr" Chapter 4 A More Moderate Approach, 1920-1939 Chapter 5 Violence Viewed from the Juvenile Delinquents' Court, 1920-1939 Part III From World War II to the Quiet Revolution, 1940-1969 Chapter 6 New Expertise and a Different Approach to Parenting, 1940-1969 Chapter 7 "Is That a Good Way to Raise Children?" Violence in the Advice Columns, 1940-1969 Chapter 8 Violence Viewed from the Juvenile Delinquents' Court and the Children's Aid Clinic, 1940-1965 Chapter 9 Aurore, Pauline, Hélène, and Barbara: The Child Martyrs of AllÃ' Police , 1953-1965 Chapter 10 "Humour Is No Laughing Matter": Corporal Punishment in Quebec Comic Strips, 1945-1969 Conclusion Appendix: Oral Testimonies Notes Bibliography Index of Names
