Childhood Flashcards
what is the definition of a ‘child’ ?
a person under 18 years old, who is classified as dependent.
why are children seen as dependent?
they are
- psychologically immature
- physically immature
- vulnerable
Who said that ‘childhood is socially constructed’?
WAGG
what does the term ‘childhood is socially constructed’ mean?
- childhood has been created and defined by society at the time
- based on norms and values of the time
- it is not fixed or universal, so there is no single childhood experienced by all
what are the three ways in which childhood differs?
1= CULTURE
2=TIME
3= SITUATION
what did PILCHER say about childhood in western notion of childhood?
- SEPARATENESS
- children occupy a separate status to adults
- childhood is a special time of life
- ‘golden age’ of innocence and happiness
who studied the MEDIEVAL CHILD to find out how time affects childhood?
ARIES
what did aries say about the medieval child?
- no distinctions between adults and children
- no separateness, seen as the same
- children were ‘mini-adults’ in all aspects
- childhood didn’t exist
- children had the same rights, duties, punishments, etc as adults.
what does aries’ discovery about the medieval child tell us about childhood?
that childhood is a recent social invention
what was said about how situation can affect childhood in the western childhood?
- relative childhood, our experiences are different
- in relation to eachother
in the UK, how many people live in poverty, affecting their childhood?
2.1 million
what are the two main reasons why there is a DARK SIDE to childhood?
- not every childhood experience in the UK is the ‘golden age’
- there is 20,000 calls to childline every year
what did DE MAUSE say in 1974 about the history of childhood?
‘the history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken’
what nightmares did children face?
-abuse
-child labour
-death, families deaths
-low standards of living
-neglect
etc
what does the march of progress suggest about childhood?
- childhood is the best it’s ever been
- slow + gradual improvement in the experiences of childhood.
who does the improvement of childhood only apply to?
- western notion
- based on situation found in
what are the main reasons for the change in childhood?
- change in social attitudes
- decrease in infant mortality rate
- child protection laws
- compulsory education
- banned child labour
- change in family size
- industrialisation
- numerate + literate workforce was needed
- introduction of NHS
- UN Convention on Rights of Children
what would there be more of (3 things) if child protection laws weren’t put into place?
- teenage pregnancy
- child alcoholism
- child smoking
who said that children’s songs, rhymes and toys show evidence of ‘separate children’s culture.’
OPIE
what does OPIES theory show?
- a positive focus on children
- things are now just designed for children
- leads to child-centredness and quality>quantity
what is the CONFLICT VIEW on childhood?
- don’t think childhood is the best it’s been
- childhood is too controlled
- childhood is disappearing
- childhood is worse/toxic
what did GITTENS say about childhood being too controlled?
- age patriarchy= ruled by parents
- power imbalance (hierarchy) that exists between adults and children.
what do parents control?
- time
- bodies
- access to resources
- space
what are the 3 consequences of childhood being too controlled?
1- creation of helicopter parents
2- bubble wrap generation
3- rise in tiger mums
why did PILCHER say that age patriarchy is necessary?
- childhood is more dangerous, protection needed
- media saturation, more adult media exposion
- reassurance and comfort
- maintain idea of ‘golden age’ during childhood
why is childhood disappearing in terms of children?
- children turning into mini adults again
- death of childhood
what did NEIL POSTMAN say about childhood disappearing?
‘childhood is disappearing at a dazzling rate.’
what is the information hierarchy, and why has it broke down?
- it is the fact that newspapers were for adults so included adult contents, as children couldn’t read.
- it has broke down due to tech and social media, with them having access to the adult world.
what is the impact of the breakdown of the information hierarchy?
- social blurring
- distinction between childhood and adulthood has become blurred
why did LEE say that childhood is not disappearing?
- it’s just becoming more complicated
- children face different pressures
- they still have ‘childlike’ behaviour
what did PALMER say about childhood becoming worse?
-rapid tech and cultural changes have damaged children’s PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, INTELLECTUAL development
what did MARGO AND DIXON find about UK children?
they are the top of the international league for OBESITY, SELF HARM, DRUG/ALCOHOL USE, VIOLENCE, UNDERAGE SEX and TEENAGE PREGNANCY.
