Childhood Flashcards
How are children different?
They have a lack of freedom, different activities, different laws
How does childhood change over time?
It is a social construct of how people in that period and place describe it, also changing culturally.
How is responsibility different culturally?
Punch, Bolivia - from age 5 they take on responsibility in home and community with no hesitation
Holmes, Samoan village - ‘too young’ never a reason
How does obedience change?
Firth, Tikopia - adults don’t expect youth to do as they are told.
How do sexual attitudes change?
Malinowski, Trobriand - tolerance and amused interest taken of childrens sexual explorations and activities
What does Pilcher suggest?
Separateness - children and adults have clear and distinct separate life stages
Childhood golden age, kids are vulnerable & need protecting from the world
What are the historical differences?
Middle ages - childhood didn’t exist, after dependancy in infancy children & adults seen as having same needs, children were mini adults same laws applied
Aries - children just depicted as smaller than adults in paintings
Parental attitudes - high death rates encourage neglect, common for baby to be named after dead siblings
What three modern elements of childhood emerged from the 13th century?
Schools, clothing and more books on how to care for children (child centered families)
Why has childhood changed?
Laws restricting labour and excluding children from paid work, introduction of compulsory schooling, child protection and welfare legislation, growth of childrens rights, declining family size and IMR, childrens development subject of medical knowledge, laws and policies applying to children
What supports Postman’s claim that childhood is disappearing?
Technology - doesn’t always require certain skills only adults know, destroying information hierarchy, growing up quicker from being exposed to society (social media)
Against Postman…
Opie - strong evidence of continued existence of separateness through games, nursery rhymes, songs etc.
What is a child centered family? (mp view)
Parents can afford more due to higher living standards and smaller families, children now focal part of family, parents have higher aspirations and invest emotionally & financially into their children, society is more designed for children
What is toxic childhood?
Palmer - rapid technology & cultural changes have damaged physical emotional and intellectual development, now a lot of intense marketing to children, uk youth above average rates for obesity, sh, drug use etc.
What is the new sociology of childhood?
Mayall - adultist view
We are in danger of seeing children as ‘socialisation projects’ for adults to mould and develop, children active agents making their childhood.
What is the childs view?
Smart - aims to include childrens experiences, divorce children are passive victims and try make it better for everyone else
Children create own definitions of who is family
Informal research methods allow for children to express opinion more freely
‘New sociology of childhood’ draws attention to children lacking power
