2⃣ Childhood 1) Childhood As A Social Construct

Question 0

What are the three types of ways childhood is seen as

Answer 0

⚫️between societies
➡️cross cultural societies

⚫️within societies
➡️e.g. Between different classes

⚫️historically over time

Question 1

What do sociologists see childhood as

Answer 1

➡️not natural
➡️but socially constructed
➡️defined and created by society

Question 2

Name the sociologist who states the cross-cultural differences in childhood

Answer 2

Benedict

Question 3

Describe benedict argument for cross-cultural differences in childhood

Answer 3

⚫️children in simpler, non-industrial societies
➡️treated differently
➡️from their modern western society
➡️in three ways

⚫️they have more responsibility at home and work

⚫️less value is placed on obedience to adult authority

⚫children’s sexual behaviour is often viewed differently

➡️therefore the behaviour expected of children
➡️and that expected of adults
➡️are less clearly separated

Question 4

Describe child hood in the west

Answer 4

⚫️special, innocent time of life

⚫️different from adults
➡️physically immature
➡️not able to run their own lives

⚫️need lengthy, protected period
➡️of nurturing and socialisation

⚫️distinct life stage
➡️child is a separate status from adult

⚫️pilcher states
➡️key feature of modern idea of childhood
➡️is separateness

⚫️cunningham
➡️children seen as opposite of adults
➡️with right to happiness

Question 5

What do these differences in childhood in the west show

Answer 5

⚫️childhood not fixed
➡️not same form in all societies
➡️different cultures construct it differently