Feelings
towards children were not as emotional as
today, which is partly based on the high child
mortality rate of the 18th century. For
example, almost half of the deceased in the
18th century Helsinki were children. The usual
causes of death among children were different
types of epidemics, suffocation and drowning.
Because of high infant mortality the new
born babies were christened 2-3 days after
birth. The more well off people usually gave
two names for a child, and this became
fashionable even amongst the common people.
Maria, Margareta, Karin, Elisabet, Johan,
Lars, Mats and Nils were popular names at the
time. The use of christening gowns
or robes was common only amongst the wealthy
burghers. |
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| Upbringing of children was one the most
important functions of a family. Johan
Sederholm tells that his parents were tender
and caring parents, even though their
livelihood could be sometimes scarce.
Obedience, piety and fear of God were the
corner stones of education, and Johan was send
to a teacher to learn these. Later on Johan
attended the town school. One of the
principles regulating the school education was
that boys were ridden with evil thoughts, and
therefore they had to be kept on tight reins
and physically disciplined when necessary.
Johan, together with other school boys,
attended the rounds that took them all over
the surrounding area, so they could gather
money and food for their upkeep. |
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