Changes In Childhood

Question 1

Emergence of modern childhood

Answer 1

Families have become more child-centred

This means families revolves around children’s needs

Question 2

Changes in society that have been identified by sociologist as contributing to the emergence of modern attitude childhood

Answer 2

Smaller families this means more love, attention and financial resources can be spent on each individual child

Shorter working hours

Greater affluence. Improved living standards and higher wages meaning there is more money to spend on children

Extension of education. Children now have to be in school until they’re 18. this extends the time children have to be dependent on parents and separate children from the adult world

Social policy e.g. benefits

Children’s rights

Concerns about children’s

Children as consumers

Question 3

Power relations between parents And children

Answer 3

Families have become more democratic in the relationship between parents and children for example children have more rights and we’re given greater protection by the law

Age patriarchy:
Children are financially dependent on parents as they cannot enter full-time work until they’re 16

Children do not receive full adult rights until they’re 18

Many children suffer abuse at the hands of family members or other adults

Question 4

Sue Palmer (2007)

Answer 4

children now experience toxic childhood as children are being damaged by diet, excessive exposure to computer games and lack of love or discipline from parents as they are forced to work longer hours outside the home