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A conversation about the history of parenting advice. In ten episodes we explore: what's the deal with Dr. Benjamin Spock? What was so great about the Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care? And who gets to tell parents how to parent? Listen and learn about twentieth century history, weird recipes, gentle parenting, anti-war protests, the Paris Olympics, book publishing, medical school education, women's magazines, and more!
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This is our “Behind the Podcast” episode in which we talk about history crushes, library lessons, social media, influencer culture, information source evaluation, and obsolete audio technology. Listeners! Leave a review and let us know how Spock Talk compares to other conversational podcasts. References DeMott, Benjamin. “The Future of Children.” T…
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Such an American Story: Lessons in Dr. Benjamin Spock-onomics, Internet History, and Venture Capital
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We discuss Dr. Benjamin Spock’s personal finances and the venture capitalists that brought Baby and Child Care to the World Wide Web. References Associated Press. “Dr. Spock’s Advice - 60 Years Later.” The Canadian Press. 25 Oct. 2004. Carvajal, Doreen. “Dr. Spock, Old and Infirm, Needs Money, Wife Says.” The New York Times. 28 Feb. 1998, p. A6. “D…
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Spock, Oprah; Oprah, Spock: Celebrity Culture in the 20th Century
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We explore Spock in the spotlight. Did he have an irresistible, outsized personality? Or was he attention-seeking and fame-hungry? Public domain archival audio courtesy of the Iowa State University Archives. References Bloom, Lynn. Doctor Spock: Biography of a Conservative Radical. The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.: 1972. Levey, Jane. “‘Spock, I Love…
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We explore Dr. Benjamin Spock’s political activism: Was he a hip protester? Or an anti-establishment pariah? Public domain archival audio courtesy of John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston. References Bates, Richard. “Democratic Babies? Francoise Dolto, Benjamin Spock and the Ideology of Post-ware Parenting Advice.” Journal of Poli…
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Spock's Women's Group: Sisters, Wives, and Daughters-in-law
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We explore Dr. Benjamin Spock’s personal relationships with women: sisters, co-workers, dance partners, mentors, wives, and daughters-in-law. Spock recording used with permission from WNYC Archive Collections. Listeners! Let us know your favorite piece of parenting advice. Leave it in a review or email us at [email protected]! References C…
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Supposing the Baby is a Girl: Sexism in Dr. Benjamin Spock's Written Works
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We explore Dr. Benjamin Spock’s treatment of women in his books and magazine columns. Listeners! Let us know your favorite parenting advice book or website. Leave it in a review! Spock recordings used with permission from WNYC Archive Collections and Minnesota Public Radio. References Atkinson, V. Sue. “Shifting Sands: Professional Advice to Mother…
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As the first baby doctor to blend pediatrics with psychology, Dr. Benjamin Spock infused The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care with Freudian psychoanalytic theory. Spock recording used with permission from WNYC Archive Collections. References “Add-Ons to Baby and Child Care: Page 285 Sterilizing Bottles.” www.drspock.com/page-285-sterilizing…
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What was Dr. Benjamin Spock’s role in the professionalization of the domestic sphere (i.e. the patriarchy’s long game)? Spock audio courtesy of the National Library of Medicine. References Atkinson, V. Sue. “Shifting Sands: Professional Advice to Mothers in the First Half of the Twentieth Century.” Journal of Family History vol. 42, no. 2, 2017, pp…
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Silver Spoon, Outdoor School, and Blue Striped Suits: How Nepo Privilege Created the Ultimate Parenting Influencer
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Did a privileged upbringing, Yale legacy admission, and dapper fashion sense establish Dr. Benjamin Spock as a trustworthy authority on child rearing? Spock recording used with permission from WNYC Archive Collections. References Bloom, Lynn. Doctor Spock: Biography of a Conservative Radical. The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1972. Cooper, D. “Dr. Benjami…
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Half a Banana, Two Baked Beans, and Zero Kisses: Parenting Advice in the Early Twentieth Century
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Was Dr. Benjamin Spock’s bestseller The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care popular because early twentieth century parenting guides were awful and harsh? Spock recording used with permission from WNYC Archive Collections. References Atkinson, V. Sue. “Shifting Sands: Professional Advice to Mothers in the First Half of the Twentieth Century.” …
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Introducing Spock Talk, A Podcast About the History of Parenting Advice
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Spock Talk is a new conversational podcast about the history of parenting advice. Over ten episodes, we'll cover the life and legacy of Dr. Benjamin Spock, exploring his predecessors, privilege, medical training, written works, activism, and personal finances, as we try to answer: just who gets to tell parents how to parent? Like Spock Talk? Leave …
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