There is no perfect way to raise a child. But decades ago, educators' thinking changed, to the point where home economics students adopted babies from local orphanages to become “parents.”
Yes, that's right. The so-called “practice babies” lived among undergraduate students at dozens of universities from the 1920s to his 1960s. Articles about the practice baby have appeared over the years, but the legend resurfaced on TikTok earlier this year with the hashtags “#truecrime,” “#horror” and “#creepy.”
“My grandmother was having these babies in her sorority! Can you imagine?” one TikTok user pointed out. Another added: “Sounds scary at first, but then it's like a whole 'family' of sorts, where the community or village takes care of the child.”
Some historians disagree about the “practice baby” era and whether it was worth the surprising response it received. Research shows that while these infants were likely well cared for and received more attention than they received in orphanages, problematic gender norms were also promulgated. So why, exactly, do people care so much about practice babies? It calls into question the family structure we're used to today. And it makes me wonder what would have happened to us if we had been raised that way.
“Most people today, most psychologists, would say that giving your children attention and love is the best thing you can do for them,” says Megan, historian and author of The Fundamental Institution. Burke says: “And it doesn't really matter where it comes from.”
What exactly is a “practice baby”?
The model varied from university to university, but the gist was as follows: Groups of women, who are home economics students, take turns living in a group house for several weeks and managing all kinds of household chores, including childcare.
It began in the 1920s to address the misconception that women who pursued a college education would have a harder time becoming effective mothers. While this may seem patriarchal at first glance, it's very much a product of its time, and yet she's breath-worthy when viewed through the lens of 2024.
“There was a sense that expert guidance and advice would be helpful,” says Jessaka Reinaweaver, a cultural anthropologist at Brown University.
Baby practice programs have existed at Cornell University, the University of Minnesota, and dozens of other universities for decades. The students probably “raised” hundreds of babies. Most were wards of the state, but some were under the care of parents who needed time away from their children to find work or a place to live. The baby will live in this house for up to one to two years. .
“At this time of year, there's a huge push to rely on expertise, hands-on learning, and laboratory research,” Burke said. Indeed, “the more you practice, the better.”
“We didn't see any signs of breakage on those children's bodies.”
This part of history always raises eyebrows, Burke said.
“That's always something that makes people find it very interesting,” Burke says. “I don't want to say it's not unique, because it certainly is. But in this era, there was a lot of use of institutionalized, independent children.” Many of these situations are common in poultry production. It was dark, like boys forced to work in a processing factory.
The practice babies, on the other hand, probably enjoyed a better life than in an orphanage. There aren't many downsides: attention, love, good food, medical care.
Of course, people still had questions about whether this was in the best interest of the child. A large study in Iowa (at least in the 1950s) found that the program did not harm children. “They couldn't trace anything broken in the kids as a result of their time on campus,” Burke says.
Not everyone agrees. Just ask Oregon State practice student Shirley Kirkham. He told the Associated Press in 1999: Because you will have a hard time later in life. ” (Attachment theory.)
Leah Brooks' grandfather, Robert Brooks, was a trainee at Knoxville College in 1929, according to her grandmother. Although he died young due to surgical complications, all signs point to him living a happy life.
But “I sympathize with the fact that he may not have lived long enough to really recognize or accept the effects, if there were any,” Brooks, 26, says.
heads up:Dave Ramsey, a 22-year-old named Emma, and what not to say to your parents
Why the era of practice babies is coming to an end
Practice babies have become obsolete not because they care about children, but because of structural issues. For example, the baby boom of the 1950s included an adoption boom. If social institutions had the opportunity to prioritize children with parents over home economics students, they would do so.
“Child welfare officials started saying more harshly that what a child needs is a family, and it's better for the child to be placed in an adoptive family as soon as possible,” Raynaweaver said, explaining why this practice Our heads now point out what can hurt us. “And why does it take a year for them to be poked, prodded and treated like guinea pigs?”
That's part of why this practice feels so outdated when discussed today. Furthermore, the gender norms of past decades no longer apply today. Anyone can be involved in a child's life, regardless of gender.
The situation has changed significantly.
“I don't think any university today would have the responsibility of being responsible for someone's baby or toddler full-time,” Burke said. “And I think it's hard to get someone to pay for a house where a bunch of 21- and 22-year-old students live and raise children.”
In case you missed it:Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker welcome baby. Let's start parenting with attachment.
