PEDIATRICS Vol. 64 No. 6 December 1979, pp. 859
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ON THE FATHER ASSUMING PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE REARING OF CHILDREN—AS VIEWED BY WILLIAM POTTS DEWEES IN 1825

T. E. C. Jr MD

Dr William Potts Dewees (1768-1841), the author of the first American work to deal with children’s health and disease in a scientific manner, had this to say about the failure of American fathers to assist their wives in rearing young children.1

Is it not both unfortunate, and unjust, that the responsibility and care of early education should so exclusively devolve on the mother? For it is every way sufficiently severe upon the female, to superintend the concerns of her establishment, if it be an object that these shall be well and economically managed, without the burden and perplexity of educating her children.

It is time then, that some changes should be made, which would tend to the relief of the over burdened mother; and this can be most profitably done, by the father partaking in this arduous and interesting duty. This would not only contribute to her relief, but would command a conformity from the child, which would be highly useful, to its future welfare.

Besides, the father from his education, and studies, is for the most part better qualified to direct and enforce, a proper system of physical education. But unfortunately at present, every thing connected with the nursery and education, "is voted a bore," by the modern fine gentleman; and the physical treatment of his children, is a duty he would feel almost disgraced to perform. Not so felt a Cato, an Augustus, a Henry the 4th, or a Montaigne: they felt it worthy of their most serious regard.