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When Science Caught Up
As medical science advanced in the 20th century, researchers began to understand how alcohol affects the developing brain.
Studies showed that:
- Infants metabolize alcohol much more slowly than adults
- Alcohol can interfere with neurological development
- Sedation is not the same as relief
By the mid-1900s, medical guidelines began to shift. Pediatricians strongly advised against giving alcohol to children in any form.
Eventually, what was once common became unthinkable.
Why This Practice Feels So Shocking Today
Today, we live in a world of:
- Strict child safety guidelines
- Extensive medical research
- Public health education
We now associate alcohol with addiction risks, impaired judgment, and long-term health consequences.
So when we look back, it’s easy to judge the past harshly.
But doing so misses the bigger picture.
Were Parents Back Then “Bad Parents”?
No.
They were parents doing their best with the knowledge they had.
They loved their children.
They wanted them to stop crying.
They wanted them to sleep.
They wanted them to survive.
Judging history through a modern lens without context oversimplifies human behavior.
Lessons We Can Learn Today
This forgotten practice teaches us several important lessons:
1. Medical Advice Evolves
What seems “obvious” today may change tomorrow. Staying informed matters.
2. Tradition Isn’t Always Safe
Just because something was done “for generations” doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
3. Parents Act From Care, Not Malice
Most parenting decisions—even questionable ones—come from love and desperation, not neglect.
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