A young, unbreeched Franklin Roosevelt in 1884, 2 years old
A young, unbreeched Franklin Roosevelt in 1884, 2 years old
"Breeching" - the wearing of trousers, was sort of a ceremonial rite that boys reached when they were around 4 to 6 years old and sometimes as late as eight years old.
Until then, they were considered "unbreeched" and wore the same clothing their sisters would wear - except without any jewelry. This was done more for convenience as trousers (breeches) were more complicated in those days to remove and put on.
Toilet training was a factor as well. A small boy in a dress could just have it hiked up by his mother/nanny when it was time to go.
The breeching age was also when the father typically started playing a role in the boy's upbringing. Up to that point in time, child rearing was left entirely to the womenfolk.
Yipes.
There is a similar picture of Henry Miller.
Then I saw it I thought “That poor guy. That explains why he was a rebel and used so many cheapening, degrading words for women in the books.”
Also, Henry Miller’s mother tried to teach his young sister who was mentally retarded in today’s terms and would slap her, hit her, yell in her face and terrify her every time she made a mistake in a lesson. Made Henry cringe-—and I still do, too.
Oh, those moms.
Full disclosure: My late mother was an abusive, narcissistic alcoholic man hater.
My brother in law Frank (God rest his gentle soul)
was dressed as a girl and even sent to school that way
until he was seven years old.
He did well, was VP of a trust department at a large bank
raised a family with two children into their teens.
Had a nervous breakdown and fell out of society
for many years he literally lived in a van down by the river
until his daughter and the little sisters of the poor rescued him
there he brought much joy to the residents
up until the day he passed.
Eternal rest Grant unto Frank O Lord and
may perpetual light shine upon him
may Frank’s soul and all the souls of the
faithfully departed through the Mercy of God
rest in peace.
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