Changing Status of Children - Families and Households

Question 1

De Mause (1974)

Answer 1

“The history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken. The further back in history one goes, the lower the level of childcare, and the more likely children are to be killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorised or sexually abused”
The ‘march of progress’ view argues that, over the past few centuries, the position of children in western societies has been steadily improving and today is better than it has ever been.

Question 2

Chambers (2012)

Answer 2

Argues ideas about ‘good parenting’ began to change in the period after the 1970s for 2 reasons: the growth of employment for women and the rise in divorce rates. This has led to a public debate about parenting, however roles still remain gendered.

Question 2

McCarthy (2003)

Answer 2

Argue that women still feel the need to conform to traditional norms about what constitutes as a good mother. Mothers are still seen as the ones who have ultimate responsibility for emotionally stabilising the family.

Question 3

(Dermott, 2003)

Answer 3

Fathers are now taking a more active role in parenting and many fathers wish to spend more time with their children and have good bonds with their children (Dermott, 2003) however the share is not equal yet.

Question 4

Gender Inequality Sociologists:

Answer 4

Gender - Mayer Hillman (1993),

Ethnic differences - Julia Brannen’s (1994)

Class - Woodroffe

Question 5

Dianna Giffins

Answer 5

Child liberationists see the need to free children from adult control, but are currently see children as too tightly controlled. ‘age patriarchy’ to describe the inequalities between adults and children.