Changing Childhood Flashcards
Aries and the paintings
Childhood didn’t exist but now = golden age and march of progress.
Children more protected by laws / education standards increased - schooling age extended 1944 was 15 1973 was 16 and 2015 is 18/ now child centred society (Rights of children become more central to society) / 1989 children act - welfare of children fundamental
A03- ignores dark side of family/mass abuse enjoyed by children/cyber bullying/child sex exploitation
Neil postman - disappearing childhood
Childhood disappearing at dazzling speed not changing. Boundry between adults and children broken down = consequence of post-modernism?
EG: TV/media blowers distinction for children and adults – doesn’t require special skill to access/children same rights as adults/commit adult crimes/parent use television, electronic games and junk food to keep children quiet- Child doesn’t get traditional childhood and family life.
A03- Government more involved in supervision, socialisation and protection of children. New laws/parenting classes/agencies to help with childcare such as nannies, social worker, Childminder and babysitters
Palmer - not good change there’s a toxic childhood
Change has created a toxic childhood. Stunted children’s emotional, physical and intellectual development.
EG: Junk food/computer games/parent working long hours therefore ineffective socialisation/affecting them in education
A03- Childhood is disappearing due to ageing population/families smaller now/children more isolated have your siblings/parents often working and neglect them turn into junk food and technology for comfort
Childhood different to Victorian times
Now child labour restricted/children not forced to work to provide for family at a young age.
Previously children a financial asset rather than symbol of love/Victorian time child age 13 to 14 work 25 hours per week now child age 16 to 17 35 hours per week. Employment rights at 18/Opie- Childhood changing positively – children rhymes games and songs
A03 - Labels and compulsory schooling make children financially dependent on adults/protection from paid work forcibly segregating children making powerless dependent
Beck- increased choice (postmodernism)
More choice in post modern society with identity and lifestyle.
E.g. Children have more leisure time and activities to do/music/games/more pocket money to spend
A03 - Issue with this it creates manufactured risks and creates a risked society affecting childhood because no clear identity and lack of socialisation leading to crime and deviance
Conflicting sociological argument CHILD LIBERATIONIST:
Children still very controlled.
E.g. time having curfews and school times/body controlled not allowed to get tattoos or piercings till certain age/space is controlled and restricted/girls less control over their time body and space.
A03- Functionalists agree this control is good creates adequate socialisation into value consensus leading to social cohesion
Also children today overprotected or two controlled – we live in the age of paranoid parenting
Conclusion
Change due to laws/safer childhood/however age patriarchy creates Issue of child dependency on adults/
