Childhood

Question 1

What does it mean when ‘childhood is a social construct’

Answer 1

Its defined and created by society

Question 2

Outline the Modern wester notion of childhood

Answer 2

• In todays society it’s generally accepted that childhood is a special time.
• Jane Pilcher (1995) notes that the main feature of childhood is the ‘separateness’

Question 3

How is the modern western notion of childhood emphasised/ reinforced

Answer 3

Through laws and regulations that control what a child can and can’t do.

Question 4

What does the separation of childhood do?

Answer 4

Creates an expectation of ‘golden age’ oof innocence and happiness

• Seen as vulnerable and in need of protection THF
  Spend most of the time w. Family

Question 5

However the childhood ‘stage’ is ________ found is all societies

+ who notes this

Answer 5

Not

Stephen Wagg (1992)

Question 6

What did Stephen Wagg say abt childhood as a social construct

Answer 6

‘ so childhood isn’t “natural” andf should be distinguished form mere biological immaturity’

Question 7

WHat are the main 3 cross cultural differences in childhood

Answer 7

• take responsibility at an early age
• less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority
• children’s sexual behaviour is often viewed differently.

Question 8

Explain ‘They take responsibility at an early age’

Answer 8

Lowell Holmes (1974) found that Samoan children were permitted to undertake tasks that could include lifting heavily loads / danger

‘Too young’ is never used an an excuse

Question 9

Explain ‘Less value placed on children showing obedience’

Answer 9

Raymond Firth (1970) found that among th western pacific doing what you were told was not a concession to be granted by the child’

Question 10

Explain ‘children’s sexual behaviour’

Answer 10

Malinowski (1957) Found that adults in took an attitude of ‘tolerance and amused interest’ towards children sexual exploration in the south west pacific

Question 11

Benedict argues that there are many ___________ cultures there is much less of a dividing line between the behaviour expected of children.

Answer 11

Non industrial

Question 12

Explain the globalisation of western childhood.

Answer 12

Some argue that the western view of childhood is being spared across the world.

This is because the international humanitarian welfare agencies impose this across the globe
This is based on what the west

Question 13

Explain the historical differences in childhood

Answer 13

The position of a child differs over time

Aries (1960) argues that in the Middle Ages there was no childhood once thee child had passed the stage of physical dependancy (infancy)

Question 14

In the Middle Ages children were often seen as ______________ with the same rights, duties and skills as ________.

Answer 14

Mini adults

Adults

Question 15

What type of evidence does Aries (1960) use to support his claim?

How does it support he view?

Answer 15

He uses paintings from the Middle Ages

There was no evidence of a childhood-like state. The paintings depict children dressed the same as adults, working and playing together

Question 16

How did parental attitudes differ in the Middle Ages and why + Example?

Answer 16

Shorter (1975) argues that the high mortality rate encouraged neglect and indifference towards children .

It was not uncommon for parents to name Their child the name of their previous dead child

Question 17

In what ways, according to Aries, did elements of modern childhood emerge?

Answer 17

• Schools that specialised in the education of the young then caused children to be seen as fragile and in need of protection from ‘worldly evils/
• Growing distinction between the clothing of a child and an adult
• Handbooks on childrearing was become in available by the 18th century

Question 18

How does Aries describe the 20th century

Answer 18

The ‘century of the child’.

Where society is obsessed with childhood

Question 19

What’s a criticism for Aries’s view?

Answer 19

Some say ( Pollock 1993 ) That its incorrect to say they childhood don’t exist but rather they had a different notion of childhood in the Middle Ages.

Question 20

What are some of the reasons for the change in the position of children in the 19th and 20th century.

Answer 20

• Laws restricting and excluding child labour and paid work: Economic assets to economic liabilities
• The introduction of compulsory schooling: In 1880, extended the period of dependancy
• Child protection and welfare legislation: 1889 Prevention of cruelty act made the welfare of a child a fundamental principle
• The growth in the idea of children’s rights
• Declining in family size and mortality rate: encouraged parents to invest emotionally and economically in the child
• Children’s development became the subject of medical knowledge

Question 21

What other reason do may sociologist claim is the reason why the position of children has changed?

(1)

Answer 21

Industrialisation

Question 22

How would industrialisation improve the position of children

Answer 22

Modern industry needs an educated workforce and better standards of living due to the increased income

The shift away from agriculture as the basis for the economy