Kinderspelen en bezigheden 1873

"Kinderspelen en bezigheden" or "Children's Games and Activities" is an undated print made by De Ruyter & Meijer that offers us a window into the perceived innocence of childhood in the Netherlands. The print depicts four scenes of children at play, but what strikes me is how gendered these pastimes are: girls are carefully pouring tea and minding house, while boys are fishing in a nearby river and building with their hands. We see a clear demarcation of roles, gently preparing young children for their future duties in a society that prized order and domesticity. These activities are more than just play. They're a rehearsal, a subtle indoctrination into the expectations of adulthood. I can’t help but wonder about the children not shown here: the ones who might not have had the privilege of leisure, whose labor was necessary for survival. This work reflects societal norms, yet it also prompts us to question who is included and who is conspicuously absent from this idyllic vision of childhood.