Treatise on Parents and Children

"A Treatise on Parents and Children" by Bernard Shaw is a philosophical inquiry written in the late 19th century. This work explores the complex relationship between parents and children, questioning societal norms and advocating for a re-evaluation of how children are raised and treated. Shaw delves into the rights of children, the responsibilities of parents, and the implications of childhood education, making a case for recognizing children as autonomous individuals with their own needs and aspirations. The opening of the treatise sets a provocative tone by emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the continuous process of human development. Shaw challenges traditional views on childhood, which depict it as a mere preparatory phase for adulthood, and he argues that society often treats children as property lacking rights. He critiques the ways in which children are molded by parental expectations and societal pressures, suggesting that this often leads to the manufacture of moral and intellectual 'monsters.' Through sharp observations and rhetorical questioning, he encourages readers to consider the consequences of denying children their agency and the importance of fostering their natural inclinations rather than imposing arbitrary standards of behavior or belief. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Bernard Shaw, known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as Man and Superman (1902), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923). With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Shaw became the leading dramatist of his generation, and in 1925 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.