Figure 1.--A French reader writes, "A short time ago, I spoke with my neighbour. He was a petit garçon modèle during 1947-55. He told me, "I have fond memories of my childhood and how my mother so carefully took care of me." His mother commonly dressed him in rompers as a little boy until he was about 6 years old. " Here he wears a bib-front romper suit with smocking. Click on the image for a family portrait.

The era in which Garçons Modèles fashions and behavior were popular were the 1920s throught the 1960s. The convention began in the terrible aftermath of World War I. Our French reader writes, "France during the War experienced a terrible disaster, several millions killed and even more injured. Large numbers of children were orphaned and many more raised in homes without fathers. France was for a time in the hands of women. The problems these children faced became a major concern of French society for two decades. Child labor was forbidden, despite the economic difficulties. The idea developed that the children should be raised as children in their education, attitude, and clothing. And the result was that the women considered finaly their children as little dolls. The innocence; the affection; the juvenile look were the rules, Till the 1970s. These rules were widespread in France. To a certain extent these rules still influence the French mentality toward children to this day." The wide-spread popularity of Garçons Modèles ended in the late-1960s. Here the Paris Student Riots (1968) caused a major shift in French attitudes.

The 1920s

The Garçons Modèles convention began in the terrible aftermath of World War I. Our French reader writes, "France during the War experienced a terrible disaster, several millions killed and even more injured. Large numbers of children were orphaned and many more raised in homes without fathers. France was for a time in the hands of women. The problems these children faced became a major concern of French society for two decades. Child labor was forbidden, despite the economic difficulties. The idea developed that the children should be raised as children in their education, attitude, and clothing. And the result was that the women considered finaly their children as little dolls. The innocence; the affection; the juvenile look were the rules.

The 1940s

The 1950s

A French reader writes, "During my boyhood (1944-60) we could see many Petits garçons modèles and Petites filles modèles, amoung all society class. We, Petits garçons modèles were happy, very loved."

The 1960s

The wide-spread popularity of Garçons Modèles styles and conventions began to decline in the late-1960s. Here the Paris Student Riots (1968) caused a major shift in French attitudes.

The 1970s

We continue to see the Garçons Modèles fashions and conventions in the 1970s although to a declining extent.

The 1980s

The Garçons Modèles conventions had largely disappeared by the 1980s. Till this time these rules were widespread in France.

Modern France

A French reader tells is, "Sad to say, the Garçons Modèles styles and tradition had disappeared by the 980s. Today they still existg to a limuted extenbt, but it must be said that it very rare. We occasionaly see the children only in select districts of Paris. Modern generations know perfectly, what were Petits garçons modèles- and -Petites filles modèle. Many images can be seen of the children and parents. And there are plenty of explanations and examples in in books, school publications, and old ads. To a certain extent these rules still influence the French mentality toward children to this day."