Conspiracy?

I am not sure if this question should go here, or in another group. I am a survivor of 'the era', having been born in 1944, and the receiver of a fair amount of 'anal attention' (actually home health care, rectal temperature taking, suppositories and, of course, enemas). As a kid I always sort of wondered if enemas were an element of a scheme mothers employed aimed at the domination or subjugation of little kids, mainly boys. Little girls never seemed to get any (or at least that is what I heard).

I think it was just the times. My Grandmother gave her kids enemas every Saturday back in the 1930's whether they needed it or not. She was an immigrant and very uneducated. Her theory was a good cleanout helped keep the doctor away. She also bossed my RN mom around when we were young so I got them until I could fight them off. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that I am now here at the site with the rest of you that got imprinted by mom.

My mom and her friends seemed to always talking about enemas for the kids. of course, I was "all ears" and took it all in. My mother especially would get excited talking about them and hearing about the enema adventures with her friends.

In reply to the first posting here, I would say that Mom-given enemas were a tradition in families and the larger culture. As for girls escaping enemas, an older sister assured me that was not true and.

I believe I was on the tail end of the days when most homes had an enema syringe of some kind, and it was used on kids when needed. I do not believe it was any kind of conspiracy. It is just what was done in those days.

I do not remember ever getting a suppository from mom, although it could have happened before I can remember it. I do remember getting enemas occasionally from mom, and even a few times from grandma. I also remember some of my friends and cousins saying they got an enema and hated it. That was the puzzling part, I did not hate it like they said they did. In fact, my sister and I liked them enough that we started using the bulb to give ourselves and each other small enemas in the bathtub.

A lot of people are resistant to change - and a lot are not - that's why change occurs. It's not limited to "conservative" mindsets. Back in the 40's and 50's enemas were a common home remedy- both for the parents and kids. Using enemas was no "conspiracy" - it was just a common home remedy popular at that time, even some Doctors recommended them.

I don't know that kids are healthier and stronger today than 50 years ago. There are a lot of fat useless little peckers out there who have a hard time waking up a flight of stairs. There are more options to treat and prevent disease - so these "unhealthy" kids don't get sick as often or stay sick for a shorter time. That doesn't make them healthier. Back in the 40's kids did more physical activity, physical work, spent ZERO time playing on the computer or watching TV.

I grew up in Minnesota where winters were harsh. Walked to school in good and bad weather. Never missed a day. Nor did my sisters. It would be interesting to compare absentee rates between 1950's school kids and todays.

Most of the kids my age got an occasional enema. As for boys getting more than girls, I would not bet on that either. Most of the girls my age got enemas, but whether it was more or less than the boys I guess we'll never know. Every house had at least one syringe. We had a bulb that had been used when we were quite young, but then everyone eventually graduated to an enema bag. While my mom never left ours out unless it was drying after use, in other homes it was never put away. Nobody seemed to care much either.

I don't know that kids are healthier and stronger today than 50 years ago. There are a lot of fat useless little peckers out there who have a hard time waking up a flight of stairs. There are more options to treat and prevent disease - so these "unhealthy" kids don't get sick as often or stay sick for a shorter time. That doesn't make them healthier. Back in the 40's kids did more physical activity, physical work, spent ZERO time playing on the computer or watching TV.

I'll simply say I have NOT seen that to be true in MANY instances. The snowflakes are ruining the country and certainly are NOT going along with science. They are going along with whatever wishy-washy thing they feel like at the moment and are trying to stifle free speech.

Exactly !

I was quite convinced that at least my mother didn't dislike at all administering suppositories and enemas to me and my brothers. This is something that I could find hard to substantiate, but it is such a strong feeling that in my mind it is like something that I don't even question.

I don't know about other mothers, but wanted to share this feeling that might be also shared by others

Wow.... How do all these posts on religion, government conspiracies, political views, have anything to do with parents giving enemas to little kids??

Wow.... How do all these posts on religion, government conspiracies, political views, have anything to do with parents giving enemas to little kids??

They don't

We're getting this thread back on track to the original title.

@SwitchableSusie - Thank you! You and I seem to see eye-to-eye on many topics, although not on religion. As a man of cultured upbringing, I am willing to accept your right to your opinion(s). Unfortunately, we seem to be evolving into a sort of "Wild West" society, where any disagreement on any topic evolves into a metaphoric gunfight. (And WAY to often into real violence!) Whatever happened to the old saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat!"? We all need to respect others and (within reason) their opinions. History will determine whether they are correct. If we shunned everyone whose opinion differed from ours, it would be bleak world of loners.

Thank you for your responses; it is great to hear from you. It became clear by the time my age was in double digits, that there were no ulterior motives involved, although I had the lingering some parents enjoyed the administration of care for their offspring, just as some kids didn't really mind being taken care of. I was just trying to capture that feeling that some little guys get that the whole world is against them. But, of course, it isn't. It just seemed that way. Thanks again, everyone who responded.

Not a conspiracy.. I've stated this in other threads, that becasue of WWII and the way that that generation of parents were raised,( to do what your told, listen to your leaders, etc. ) the results were everyone got enemas. Doctors and nurses believed that were good for you. Parents took this to hart.

I think more boys than girls got enemas growing up

No conspiracy in my house even with an RN Mom. We almost never got enemas. But they were fun when we did, and I'm a dedicated klismo now.

Eric

Cos, who started this string in raising the the \theory that enemas were a tool to dominate children, would get agreement from one of my older sisters . She was something of a rebellious type and she said the enema can was a popular tool to keep

her in line. I was less rebellious and was given fewer enemas. Make of that as you will.

No scheming in my childhood; it was just being considered being a good home care giver. I had many cases of bronchial asthma and my mom was right there with the Vick's ointment smearing it on my chest. I felt "loved" at my mom's ministrations.

I never noticed a difference in my family. My girl cousins got regular enemas just like us boys.

I think boys got more enemas,cause we like the nozzle rubbing our prostate gland

Growing up in the " era "and having brothers and sisters I don't think there was any difference between boys and girls. Also remember overhearing mothers " talking over the fence " seemed to be equal.

In our house, as kids, when one got an enema, the other two were laying across the same bed with their bare bottoms either getting, holding, or waiting for his or her enema from mom. Girls and boys before puberty got enemas on par with one another. After puberty, girls, from what my sister told my brother and I, received more enemas do to the onset of their periods. No conspiracy involved, it was just the way things were done.

In our house the 8 oz. bulb syringe and the 2 quart fountain syringe were used by mom without hesitation at the first sign of any illness and as a preventative measure, but never as punishment or a means to dominate. No conspiracy in our house, but I can believe there were some moms that administered a good enema to calm an out-of-control kid down, rather than using the belt.

My brother, sister, and I got the hairbrush on our bare bottoms when we got out of line. Would have much preferred an enema to the hairbrush.

I don't think it was a conspiracy at all. Mom gave my two sisters and me enemas if we needed one, which was when we were sick, constipated, or if by her reasoning we had been too long between bowel movements. I can't say that an enema was ever given for punishment or that mom enjoyed doing it. An enema was just something that was a necessary element of family health care. Just for the record, I really tried to avoid getting one if I possibly could, which was different than my younger sister who really seemed to enjoy a date with the enema bag.

The sad fact is that medicine, even today, cannot cure many things. Half a century ago, even fewer cures existed.

For example, colds and 'flu cannot be cured. The best modern medicine can do is treat some of the symptoms and hopefully make the patient feel better.

Some vintage cold medicines, like Bromo Quinine, also had a laxative included, with the belief a good poo would help getting over a cold. Maybe, maybe not.

Then there is the placebo effect... sugar pills with no active ingredients can make a person feel better. And there is the perception that the worse a medicine tastes, the better it must be for you. Yes, old wives' tales, but often effective.

I see childhood enemas in this vein. Not those given by misguided parents as punishments, but enemas given during illness. Just doing SOMETHING can often help, even if the something is ineffectual. (Jefferson Airplane... White Rabbit... 'the pills that mother gave you don't do anything at all).

At least a mighty enema will do something, causing a stronger perception of effect than most any pills.

Momma was not a schemer, but yes, brother and I, a little older than our sister, got more enema care than our sister. Looking back, perhaps sister felt left out from the get go. Wish I could ask her, she was always full of talk, no matter the subject. If anything, we might have offered mom more entertainment and fewer complaints. I remember wantin to hide under her dresses and breathe in her scents, while she softly petted the back of my head. She was a very hard worker and had a younger brother that always enjoyed her company. Even in their early eighties they acted like kids together. Dad enjoyed and needed regular enema attention. They would sometimes make his ordeal into an entertaining game that caused us to laugh and enjoy their delight with each other. Being set way back off the road, we lived an out door life for the most part and spring enema delight came as soon as weather permitted. We were on a parallel with mid USA, but near the West Coast. Considering John Steinbeck's stories, I am sure he would have been fascinated with our place. Four of our cousins often pleaded to get to stay with us. Apparently, we did things differently and though kept a very rigorous morning and evening farming routine, they were in for all of it. We felt honored, and knew they wanted the full experience.

To this conspiracy point, only one of them was a girl. She never was filled with an enema at our place. She only had a much older sister and found us boys amazing, and though she was our sister's visitor, she was our favorite cousin.

"I see childhood enemas in this vein. Not those given by misguided parents as punishments, but enemas given during illness. Just doing SOMETHING can often help, even if the something is ineffectual. (Jefferson Airplane... White Rabbit... 'the pills that mother gave you don't do anything at all)."

My mother did believe that even if we didn't really need an enema, that getting a good cleaning out could never hurt. That being the case, out would come the red bag and it would be filled with warm soapy water. It always worked.

My mom used to call our neighbor lady Diane to come over and help give me an enema in my teens