{"id":3666,"date":"2023-03-26T21:02:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T20:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=3666"},"modified":"2023-03-26T21:02:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T20:02:53","slug":"how-were-down-syndrome-children-treated-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/how-were-down-syndrome-children-treated-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"How were down syndrome children treated in ancient rome?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Down syndrome is a medical condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. In ancient Rome, down syndrome children were treated as outcasts and were often left to die. They were considered to be a burden on society and were not given the same rights as other citizens.<\/p>\n

There isn’t a lot of information on how Down syndrome children were treated in ancient Rome. It is known that they were considered to be born with physical and mental disabilities, and as a result, they were not entirely accepted by society. Some historians believe that these children were either abandoned by their families or put to death.<\/p>\n

How were people with disabilities treated in Ancient Rome? <\/h2>\n

It is truly saddening to think about how disabled people were treated in Ancient Rome. They were seen as a burden and an inconvenience at best, and were subjected to violence and even death at worst. The Twelve Tables, the foundation of Roman law, stated that any child born with a deformity should be put to death by stoning. This just goes to show how little value was placed on disabled lives in Ancient Rome.Thankfully, attitudes have changed dramatically since then and disabled people are now seen as valuable members of society. However, it is important to remember the mistreatment of disabled people in the past so that we can continue to fight for their rights and ensure that they are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.<\/p>\n

It is a sad reality that, for many years, people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were kept in institutions that were far from ideal. These institutions were often overcrowded and lacked basic amenities like healthcare, education and even plumbing. This meant that many people with disabilities were deprived of the chance to lead fulfilling lives. Thankfully, things have changed in recent years and more and more people with disabilities are now able to live in the community, where they can access the support and services they need to lead happy and healthy lives.<\/p>\n

How did Ancient Rome treat children <\/h3>\n
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At the age of 1, a child would gain legal privileges which could lead to citizenship. Children 7 and under were considered infants, and were under the care of women. Children were expected to help with housework from age 8 until they reached adulthood at age 12 for girls, or 14 for boys.<\/p>\n

The finding of the 1500-year-old skeleton of a child with Down’s syndrome in early medieval France suggests that the condition was not necessarily stigmatised in the Middle Ages. The way the child was buried hints that people may have had a more accepting attitude towards those with the condition. This is in contrast to the way people with Down’s syndrome are often treated today. The discovery of this ancient skeleton provides a valuable insight into how people with Down’s syndrome may have been viewed in society in the past.<\/p>\n

How were children with special needs treated in the past? <\/h2>\n

Some cultures have completely rejected persons with disabilities, while others have treated them as outcasts. In some cultures, persons with disabilities were kept alive by their families only because they were seen as economic liabilities. However, there is a growing movement of inclusion and acceptance of persons with disabilities in all cultures.<\/p>\n

It was common practice in ancient Greece and Rome to kill or abandon infants who had disabilities. This was likely due to the belief that these children would not be able to lead productive lives. Those who became disabled later in life were allowed to live, but often became beggars. Some people with mental retardation were owned by wealthy Romans and used as court jesters for entertainment. (Kanner, 1964)<\/p>\n

What did Down’s syndrome used to be called? <\/h2>\n
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The decision by the Editor of the Lancet in 1961 to opt for the description “Down’s syndrome” for the condition previously described as “Mongolian Idiocy” was the origin of the designation Down’s syndrome.<\/p>\n

Today, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome is approximately 60 years. Just a few decades ago, in 1983, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome was only 25 years. This dramatic increase is due to advances in medical care and support for people with Down syndrome and their families. With continuing progress in these areas, it is hoped that even more people with Down syndrome will enjoy long, healthy lives.<\/p>\n

How long did the oldest person with Down syndrome live <\/h3>\n

Bert Holbrook, who was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest man with Down syndrome, has died at age 83. Holbrook was born with the condition, which is a chromosomal abnormality, and was one of the first people with Down syndrome to be able to live a long and relatively normal life. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.<\/p>\n

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, examined the bones of infants and children from Roman imperial sites in Italy, North Africa and Iberia. The researchers found that around 10 per cent of the children studied had been killed.<\/p>\n

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The practice of infanticide was likely driven by a combination of factors, including the high cost of living, lack of social safety nets and the fact that children were not considered fully human, the study authors said.<\/p>\n

While the findings provide a glimpse into the lives of Roman children, the study authors cautioned that the data should not be seen as representative of all Roman families.