Journal article
Caring for colonial infants: Parenting on the frontiers
Australian Historical Studies, Vol.29(110), pp.109-126
1998
Abstract
Death was a constant companion for the parents of European infants in tropical climates until well into the twentieth century. This paper argues that, despite infant mortality rates, which, throughout the century, never improved beyond one death for every ten live births, we cannot assume that either complacency or fatalistic acceptance characterised typical parental responses to the harsh reality of nineteenth-century parenting. Presenting evidence from dozens of parents who shared the tragedy of the death of one or more infants, this article argues that desperate mercy flights to doctors-often involving hours on horseback-were commonly undertaken by parents (often mothers) and that neighbourhood networks were normally enlisted to help with 24-hour attendance upon sick and dying babies.
Details
- Title
- Caring for colonial infants: Parenting on the frontiers
- Authors
- Lynette Finch (Author) - Sunshine Coast University College (Legacy)
- Publication details
- Australian Historical Studies, Vol.29(110), pp.109-126
- Publisher
- Routledge
- DOI
- 10.1080/10314619808596063
- ISSN
- 1940-5049
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99523404502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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