Abstract:
The article investigates the interest in the social and historical study of childhood in the texts written by Gilberto Freyre during his formative years. It highlights the appropriation of New History, which combined history, anthropology, and culture, as well as Child Study in psychology, derived from his studies at Columbia University. The article analyzes his considerations regarding a sociology of play and the history of childhood, as well as the child and social life in Brazil. It is argued that alongside the author's attentive focus on neglected themes in societal studies, his stance was characterized by an uncritical and selective approach to sources, conservatism, and the naturalization of racial and social relations.
Keywords:
historiography of childhood; intellectuals; toys; race relations