Children and Childhood in the Ottoman Empire: From the 15th to the 20th Century

This book explores 5 centuries of changing attitudes toward children and childhood in the Ottoman Empire, including data on Christian, Jewish, and Muslim children that shed light on differences and commonalities in family structures and communities. It covers a broad geographic area, from Ottoman Romania to Syria, and paves the way for new directions in research on the history of children and childhood in the Ottoman Empire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This comprehensive volume explores 5 centuries of changing attitudes toward children and childhood in the Ottoman Empire, providing valuable insights into the diverse experiences of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim children. By examining data from a broad geographic area encompassing Ottoman Romania, Bulgaria, Crimea, Greece, Bosnia, Syria, Palestine, and Istanbul, the book sheds light on the differences and commonalities in family structures and communities across these regions. It serves as a groundbreaking resource for scholars seeking to understand the history of children and childhood in the Ottoman Empire.

The volume is organized into 5 thematic sections, each dedicated to exploring different aspects of children's lives in the Ottoman Empire. These sections include concepts of childhood, family interrelationships, children outside family circles, children's bodies, and education. Within these sections, the book delves into the social and political structure of the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the ways in which children were both shaped by and shaped society.

One of the key strengths of this volume is its innovative approach to studying children as social agents. Rather than viewing them as passive recipients of their social environment, the book recognizes children as active participants who played a significant role in shaping their own lives and the societies they inhabited. By employing a child-centric perspective, the volume offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of the historical experiences of children in the Ottoman Empire.

The book is enriched by a Foreword by Suraiya Faroqhi, a renowned expert in the social history of the Ottoman Empire. In her introduction, Colin Heywood provides a comprehensive overview of the volume, highlighting its key contributions and its relevance to contemporary research on the history of children and childhood. Additionally, the book includes 8 tables, 8 graphs, 9 illustrations, and a glossary of key terms, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

Overall, this volume is a significant contribution to the field of Ottoman history and provides valuable insights into the lives of children and childhood in the Ottoman Empire. It will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the history of children and childhood in the Middle East and beyond.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474455398