Children's roles have shifted from economic assets in colonial times to learners and rights-holders today.
Children's roles in society have evolved significantly from colonial times to the present. In colonial periods, children were often seen as economic assets, contributing to family survival through labor. However, today, children are primarily viewed as learners and individuals with rights to education and protection.
One similarity is that children in both colonial times and today are seen as a part of the community, albeit with different roles. Differences include the shift towards children's rights, protection laws, and the emphasis on education today, compared to the more utilitarian roles they held in colonial society.
While children in both eras engaged in activities tailored to meet the needs of the society they lived in, the attitudes towards children, their rights, and responsibilities have changed significantly over time, reflecting broader societal shifts towards child welfare and protection.