Life — January 30, 1913 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Home Cure for a Fiery Temper" This satirical cartoon depicts a humorous "remedy" for childhood tantrums. A well-dressed man (likely a father) aims a fire hose at a child having an explosive outburst, while other family members—including what appears to be a mother and other children—watch or react nearby. The water spray is depicted as forceful and chaotic. The satire mocks outdated parenting philosophies of the early 20th century, likely commenting on harsh or extreme disciplinary methods. The cartoon suggests that such blunt, forceful approaches to managing children's emotions were both ineffective and absurd. The "cure" is presented as comically disproportionate to the problem, critiquing discipline methods considered overly severe or inappropriate.