childhood Flashcards
why do sociologists see childhood as socially constructed?
it varies between societies, within societies and historically, over time
what are the features of the modern western notion of childhood?
children is a special, innocent time of life
children are fundamentally different from adults so they need a length and protected period of nurturing and socialisation
Pilcher says the key feature is separateness, childhood is a clear and distinct stage separate from adults
how are children in simpler, non-industrial societies treated differently from those in the west?
Benedict (less division between adults and children)
they take more responsibility at an early age e.g. Punch found that children in rural Bolivia are expected to work from five years old
less value is placed on obedience to adult authority
childrens sexual behaviour is viewed differently e.g. Trobriand Islanders, adults took an attitude of tolerance and amused interest towards childrens sexual explorations and activities
what did Aries say about childhood in medieval Europe?
the idea of childhood did not exist
- children were not seen as having a different nature from adults
- work began from an early age
- children were ‘mini-adults’ with the same rights, duties and skills as adults
what are the reasons for the lack of childhood in medieval Europe?
Shorter
parental attitudes were very different, high death rates encouraged indifference and neglect, especially towards infants
what showed the modern notion of childhood emerging in the 13th century?
Aries (emergence of the modern ‘cult of childhood’)
schools began to specialise only in the education of the young (previously adults attended)
Church increasingly saw children as fragile ‘creatures of god’ needing discipline and protection
by 18th century handbooks on childrearing widely available showing the child-centredness of family life
reasons for changes in the position of children
lower infant mortality rate and smaller families (greater financial and emotional investment)
laws banning child labour (children went from economic assets to economic liabilities)
compulsory schooling (separating children from adult world of work)
child protection and welfare laws
what do sociologists see as the underlying cause for changes in the position of children?
industrialisation
modern industry needs an educated workforce so compulsory education is needed
higher standards of living from industrialisation lead to lower infant mortality rates
why do some argue that childhood is disappearing?
Postman
television replacing print culture
in print culture children can’t read creating an information hierarchy
television makes information available to adults and children alike, breaking down the boundary between them
how is the ‘disappearance of childhood’ criticised?
Opie says childhood is not disappearing, a separate childrens culture continues to exist in the forms of games, songs, jokes etc
how has childhood changed in postmodern society?
Jenks disagrees with Postman, childhood is changing not disappearing
adults relationships become more unstable (e.g. more divorce) so relationships with their children become adults last refuge from insecurity
they become even more fearful for their children’s safety leading to even greater regulation of childrens life
criticisms of Jenk’s notion of childhood in postmodernity
there is limited evidence to support him
any evidence that parents see their relationship with their children as more important than their partner comes from small, unrepresented studies
what is the march of progress view of the position of children?
Aries and Shorter
children’s position has been steadily improving and is better today than it has ever been
how has the family and society become ‘child-centred’?
children are better cared for in terms of their educational, psychological and medical needs
higher living standers and smaller family sizes means parents can afford to provide for childrens needs
what is toxic childhood?
Palmer
rapid technological and cultural changes are damaging children’s development e.g. junk food, computer games. so children are deprived of a genuine childhood
evidence of toxic childhood in the UK
UK youth are at or near the top of league tables for obesity, self harm, drug and alcohol abuse
UNICEF ranked the UK 21st out of 25 for childrens well being
how does the conflict view criticise the march of progress view?
conflict theorists e.g. marxists and feminists criticise the march of progress view because:
there are inequalities among children (opportunities and risks)
there are inequalities between children and adults (control, oppression and dependency)
what are inequalities among children?
gender differences - girls expected to do more housework ethnic differences - asian parents were more likely than other parents to be strict towards their daughters class inequalities - poor children more likely to die in infancy or do badly in school
what are inequalities between children and adults?
‘child liberationists’ such as Firestone argue that extensive care and protection are new forms of oppression e.g. being banned from paid work is a new for of inequality
criticisms of child liberationists
they ignore how adults use their power to benefit children e.g. passing laws against child abuse
control is justified from because children cannot make rational decisions so unable to safeguard themselves
what is the age patriarchy?
Gittins says age patriarchy of adult domination that keeps children subordinate
examples of age patriarchy
adults exercise control over children’s:
time (e.g.bedtime, TV time)
space (e.g. where they are allowed to go)
bodies (e.g. what they eat and wear)
access to resources , economically dependent on parents (e.g. pocket money dependent on good behaviour)
what is the cause of neglect and abuse?
adult control can lead to physical, sexual or emotional abuse
40,000 children on the child protection register
evidence that children may experience childhood as oppressive
children resist the restricted status of ‘child’ by acting older e.g. smoking and drinking alcohol
Hockey and James says this shows children want to escape modern childhood
what is the new sociology of childhood?
sees children as active agents who play a major part in creating their own childhood e.g. Smart’s study of divorce found children were actively involved in trying to make the situation better
explores the many diverse childhoods that exist by taking the child’s viewpoint (favoured by child liberationists because shows children often lack power in relation to adults)
