Aan Jongens wilde pret, aan Meisjes zachte vreugd, / Dat is zoo als het hoort en eigen aan de jeugd (...) 1850 - 1870

This undated print by P.C.L. van Staden Czn., presents a gendered view of childhood amusements. Made in the Netherlands, it is an intriguing artifact from a culture deeply shaped by its mercantile activities and Calvinist values. The image divides boys' "wilde pret" - wild fun - from girls' "zachte vreugd" - soft joy. The boys are shown engaged in active, boisterous play, while the girls are depicted in a more restrained, domestic setting, perhaps learning the skills they would need for their roles as wives and mothers. The print may be a reflection of the social structures of its time, revealing how gender roles were instilled from a young age. Were these depictions accepted, or were there contemporary challenges to such views? By researching the history of childhood and gender in the Netherlands, we can better understand the complex interplay of social norms and individual agency in shaping the lives of children.