20c reversed historical flow of money from children to parents [audio 15min]

"Invention of Childhood" is major 30-part narrative history series exploring British childhood and the experience of British children over the last thousand years, with one 15-minute programme each weekday from Mon 25th Sept through Fri 3rd Nov. Each programme may be streamed online for 7 days after broadcast. Week Six -- 30 Oct to 3 Nov: Modern Times. Episode 26: The Kiddy and the Pork Chop. Throughout history, the normal expectation was that children would contribute to the family purse as soon as they were able, often from the age of about 7 -- or even younger. But the mid-20th century saw a radical shift, as the standard of living rose and money began to flow the other way -- from parent to child. This is a hugely significant moment in the history of childhood, and one with emotional as well as economic ramifications, as Michael Morpurgo discovers. Popular children's writer Michael Morpurgo is Britain's former Children's Laureate. Readers include Jack Blumenau, Anna Maxwell Martin, Timothy West and Adam Godley.