17th century Quote by C. Sommerville
![“[17th-century] Puritans were the first modern parents. Like many of us, they looked on their treatment of children as a test of their own self-control. Their goal was not to simply to ensure the child's duty to the family, but to help him or her make personal, individual commitments. They were the…” quote by C. Sommerville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a63/c-sommerville-39957_17th-century_17th-century-puritans-were-the-first-mod_1946579.jpg)
“[17th-century] Puritans were the first modern parents. Like many of us, they looked on their treatment of children as a test of their own self-control. Their goal was not to simply to ensure the child's duty to the family, but to help him or her make personal, individual commitments. They were the first authors to state that children must obey God rather than parents, in case of a clear conflict.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Essay: Parenting in the 17th Century, 1990
Puritans pioneered modern parenting by emphasizing personal moral commitment over mere duty.
In simple terms: Kids should follow conscience, not just authority.
Key Takeaway
Encourage independent moral reasoning.
Themes
parenting
religion
individualism
history
ethics
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- family education
- religious instruction
- child upbringing
- counseling
Key Concepts
moral development
autonomy
theological authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents foster moral independence?
- What limits exist in child autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Balancing obedience and personal conscience can be complex.
![“Quintilian [educational writer in Rome around A.D. 100] thought that the earliest years of the child's life were crucial. Education should start earlier than age seven, within the family. It should not be so hard as to give the child an aversion to learning. Rather, these early lessons would take…” quote by C. Sommerville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cce/c-sommerville-39957_age_quintilian-educational-writer-in-rome-ar_1241305.jpg)
