Historical foundations of fatherhood patterns in the Polish landowning families in the Age of Enlightenmen

Abstract

Summary

This article undertakes the issue of  fatherhood role model in the Age of Enlightenment where traditional patterns were confronted with new requirements of critical thinking methodology. The biblical and antique traditions were major factors consolidating European culture. Despite this, there were certain differences in particular countries arose around selective adaptation of biblical and secular antique examples. It is inevitable for better understanding of polish fatherhood to point out local variations in adaptation of antique role models. Despite of same tradition, some role models were more popular than others among polish nobility. Choices like taking as an role model Roman family instead of Greek had great impact on polish family life and partially explains more harmony and high position of married women in polish noble society during that era.