(6) Childhood Flashcards
What does Jane Pilcher believe is an important feature that is the cause for ‘childhood’?
Separateness; children occupying a separate status from adults causes them to have their own title, being ‘childhood’
What is Benedict’s view on this idea separateness for children worldwide?
Children in developing countries are still seen as separate from adults but are treated with less value in comparison to children in well developed countries where they will be protected and isolated from the ‘adult world’.
Why does Ariés believe that childhood is a relatively recent invention and a social construct?
Because childhood only exists due to recent changes, in modern society, in the difference of the experiences between children and adults. Not too long ago, childhood didn’t exist (it wasn’t a thing) due to the lack of separate laws, the same dress sense, and available labour tasks between both adults and children.
What does Postman believe caused the disappearance of childhood and why?
The introduction of television culture because it allowed children to be exposed to the ‘adult world’ without needing to read, such as the news and trends in clothing, causing children to follow into/ understand ‘adult’ society at a young age. This caused adults and children to become indistinguishable.
Why does Opie disagree with Postman’s view on the disappearance of childhood?
Because there is strong evidence of unsupervised ‘kids’ games and rhymes, maintaining that separateness. She also believes Postman has over-emphasised only one cause for the change in childhood although there are other factors.
What is Jenks’ view on how relationships in modern society have caused childhood to change and child-centred families?
Childhood is changing not disappearing. Childhood is now seen as a preparation for needing independence and productivity in the ‘adult’ world. Unstable relationships in families cause parents to become uncertain and fearful for their child’s future, causing more children to be seen as in need of greater protection and vulnerable.
What is the March of progress view, involving Ariés and Shorter, on the position of children in western societies?
Children are now more valued, cared for, protected, educated and given rights due to laws and professionals catering to their needs. Society has become more child centred as parents and adults invest more emotionally and financially and have high aspirations for them.
What did Mouse say about the history of childhood that supports the March of progress view?
The further back the history, the lower the level of childcare as children were being killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorised and sexually abused more.
