The world is a better place because kids survive youth

person

Just some random musing.

I've been listening to a great history podcast lately, Hardcore History (the WW1 series is really great, get it now while its still free). He did one on children throughout history and the gist is that kids have been treated really badly, beaten, neglected, widespread infanticide (the average "good" parent would be locked away as a monster today) until relatively recently. The improved treatment of children has been in part due to religious teachings but probably more so due to much lower child mortality. When your child has a 50/50 chance of dying in their youth parents, understandably, don't want to attach so tightly to them. With greater survival the parent/child bond becomes stronger and parents are kinder and more loving.

So, in the past the adults that ran things were largely abused, neglected children. Imagine what kind of world that makes as opposed to one run by adults who were loved and cared for in their youth and you can see why violence of all kinds are at historic lows. To me its a very hopeful view for the world

One of the best ways to change thngs for the better is to treat children well.