Richard Glover examines the evolution of social certainties and expert advice

In an opinion piece, Richard Glover reflects on how historical certainties and expert advice often reflect the conventional attitudes of their era rather than absolute truths. Using a letter from Charles Darwin regarding his experiences in Australia as a starting point, Glover notes that even figures who revolutionized scientific thought were once bound by the social norms of their time.

Glover draws parallels to his research on the history of Australian parenting, noting that experts across different periods often repeated the same ideas and euphemisms. He cites historical examples of how sensitive topics like anatomy and sex were described in Australian guidebooks throughout the 20th century, illustrating how societal beliefs can become unquestioned certainties through repetition.