Child-centeredness is the act of putting a child first and goes against the previous authoritarian way. It is about being focused on the protection and safety of a child, and emphasizing that the early years of a Childs life should be a care-free time. Although it is becoming apparent that our society is now a child-centered society, this hasn’t always been the case as sociologists and historians argue that childhood as we understand it today is a relatively recent ‘invention’. Social historian Aries claimed that, in the past, children were ‘’little adults’’ who had the same rights, duties and skills as adults. As evidence of his views he uses paintings from the period, which show children and adults dressed equally and working and playing together. However, this evidence lacks of validity and is inaccurate as the paintings can depict the artist’s views.
Moreover, according to Aries elements of the modern notion of childhood arose from the 13th century onwards. For example, schools, under the influence of religion, became specialized only in the education of children as the church saw them as little ‘creatures of God’. Another example would be the growing distinction between adult and child clothing by the 17th century. Aries stated that these developments culminate in the cult of childhood and describes the 20th century as ‘the century of the child’. Therefore, according to Aries society has become child centered.

Furthermore, the numerous changes in the law since the industrial revolution have had also an impact in the position of the children in our modern society. Firstly, the laws restricting child labour has changed children from being economic assets to economic liabilities, who financially depend on their parents. Another massive change is the introduction of compulsory schooling, as before most children and adults were