What was it like to be a child in Finland 100 years ago?
Vilja Tunnila, 10
Sata years ago, most Finnish children spent their childhood in small rural villages. Familiar neighbors and places for play and adventure brought security to life.
We liked to spend time outside. However, life was also unpredictable. Many diseases were not yet known to be treated. And if the family was affected by poverty, the necessary support was not always received.
At home, the children had to do many kinds of chores according to their age and strength, such as carrying water from the yard well to the kitchen. Older siblings often also had to look after the younger ones.
Even the six-year-old older sister could have to take care of the family’s baby if the mother had other things to do.
Adults had to be treated very respectfully. When guests came to the house, children often had to be quiet and talking to adults could be stressful. At home, you often had to watch out for noise.
Most of the children went to public school, where the teacher was often a strict discipliner. In general, however, the children liked going to school. On school trips and during breaks, you could play and chat with your friends. Even a hundred years ago, children missed each other’s company.
Antti Malinen
University researcher in history
University of Tampere