u/dodgerkk

Surely a black card all day long?? (Clare vs Limerick, where Limerick goalkeeper fouls Clare player through on goal)

I’ve been reading about historical infant mortality rates and it’s honestly hard to wrap my head around.

In many parts of the world before the 20th century, infant mortality could be shockingly high (sometimes 20–30% (or more) of children didn’t survive past their first year) and overall child mortality was even higher. That’s such a different reality from today in most developed countries.

It got me wondering about the human side of this:

Did parents in those times expect that some of their children simply just wouldn’t survive? And if so, did that shape how they coped with loss? were they in any way more emotionally “prepared,” or is that a modern assumption that doesn’t really hold up?

I’m not suggesting they cared any less,but psychologically, was grief experienced differently when death was a much more common part of everyday life?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s studied history, anthropology, or has insights into this.