Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Child

CHILD, a term of relation to parent; but also metaphorically applied to adults, expressing either simplicity, or imbecility. We shall consider it only in the former sense.

As the physical education of children, in its different branches, would require a greater portion of room, than can be devoted to it in an alphabetical work; and as this subject has been amply discussed in a work, just published from the German of Dr. Struve, we shall, in this place, give a few hints, relative to the moral duties of children to their parents. Having incidentally treated of various subjects, not less connected with the bodily prosperity of youth, than that of adults, and resuming others in alphabetical order, we venture to hope, our readers will approve of this arrangement.

The obligations of children to their parents, arise from a principle of natural justice and retribution. To those who gave us existence, we instinctively owe submission, and obedience, during our minority, as well as gratitude and reverence ever after; those who protected us in the weak state of infancy, are justly entitled to our protection in the infirmity of their age: those who, by nurture and education, have enabled their offspring to prosper, ought reciprocally to be supported by that offspring, if unfortunately they should stand in need of assistance. Upon this self-evident principle are established all the filial duties enjoined by positive laws. And, although by the statutes of this country, an illegitimate child appears to be exempt from such obligations towards its parent; yet we find, that, in cases of legal issue, the tie of nature is not dissolved by any misconduct of the parent; and consequently a child ought equally to defend the person, or maintain the cause, or suit, of a bad parent, as of a virtuous one; and is alike compellable, if of sufficient ability, to maintain and provide for a wicked and unnatural progenitor, as for one who has shewn the greatest affection, and parental piety.—It does not behove us to comment upon the consequences of these injunctions, nor shall we attempt to reconcile them to general principles of equity, but submit this arduous task to the wisdom of our legislators.

With respect to the management of children, in the early stages of life, we refer to the article Infancy.