Childhood Flashcards
1
Q
How is childhood a social construct?
A
- sociologists see childhood as socially constructed; as something created and defined by society- they argue that what ppl mean by childhood and the position that children occupy in society, is not fixed but differs between different times, places and cultures- we can see this by competing the western idea of childhood today with childhoods in the past and in other societies.
2
Q
What is the cross-cultural differences in childhood- and childhood in the west?
A
- wide variety or diversity of childhoods that exist across the world- freedom for adult responsibilities experienced by many western children is not found in all societies- especially developing
- simpler societies- prolonged period of childhood and adolescence before the transition to adulthood found in contemporary Britain does not exist- children take on adult rules as soon as physically able
- 1 in 7 children in the world work- with 215 million children aged 5-17 in child labour around Africa, 28% involved in work
- 2008 report by coalition to stop use of child soldiers suggested between 2004-07 they were involved in active conflict in 21 countries around the world- both being brutalised and killed and killing others-> as part of adult conflict
- girl soldiers frequently subject to rape and other forms of sexual violence as well as combat roses- 2014 UNICEF report- 1 in 10 girls around world experienced serious sexual violence, and high numbers of child murders each year
- these examples suggest that nature of childhood, isn’t same in every society- in many nations small kids expected to take what contemporary Britain may see as adult responsibilities- many even against law for kids
- in west- childhood = special, innocent - physically more immature and need greater nurturing and socialisation
- childhood experience will differ to industrialised world- constant risk of early death as a result of poverty and basic healthcare- Malaria kills 1m children a year- most under 5-> less likely to have education
- UNESCO- 67.4 million children don’t attend school in developing world- 122 million children aged 18 and below can’t read/write
3
Q
Historical differences in childhood-preindustrial?
A
- Phillip Aries- showed that in medieval times, childhood did not exist as separate status- kids often moved straight from infancy (requiring care) to working roles in the community- children seen as ‘little adults’ expected to somewhat take adult roles and responsibilities as soon as physically able to and participate in all aspects of life alongside parents
- mixed w adults
- until mid 19th century- child labour= common - worked around age of 7- in early 19th - many factoryworkers under 11- worked as long/hard as adults
- poor homes- occasionally worked as thieves
4
Q
Historical differences in childhood- industrial families?
A
- father/husband= head of family- authority
- children may see little of parents and children were low status
- children seen as more innocent and in need of protection
- strong discipline applied to teach children appropriate behaviour- beatings in name of discipline
- growing tech speed change meant parents unable to pass skills required for working life- changed made children dependant on parents
- later emerged a new conception of a phase of childhood- children lacking power
5
Q
Childhood and Gender differences in UK?
A
- feminist studies suggest boys and girls socialised into a set of behaviours based on cultural expectations of masculinity and femininity -> differences in things like toys, nature of their play activities, chores they do and interactions etc
- McRobbie- suggests girls experience may differ bc parents see them in need of greater protection from outside world
- boys experience to be less emotional and acquire masculine skills-> breadwinner
6
Q
Childhood and social class differences in the UK?
A
- upper class children may find spend most of years in private boarding schools- M/C encouraged from an early age to go to university-> emotion and cultural support from powers
- Lareau- w/c parents emphasised ‘natural growth’ of children- didn’t cultivate talents
- believed as long as provided children with love, food, safety
- Donzelot argues that poor families and their children are more likely to be controlled and regulated by state- whereas as Nelson found- rich parents excessively interfere with lives of children
7
Q
Childhood and Ethnicity + religion differences in the UK?
A
- evidence Muslim, Hindu and Sikh children feel stronger sense of obligation and duty to parents than white children
- religion has big impact on childhood- Muslim or Catholic students especially in UK- early morning churches and mosque
- likely ethnic and religious minorities will face racism
8
Q
Global experiences- reason for change of position of children?
A
- laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work: econ assets who could earn a wage, children become econ liability
- introduction of compulsory schooling: helpful for the poor
- child protection and welfare legislation: welfare of the child the fundamental principle underpinning work of agencies such as social services
- growth of ideas regarding children rights - protection from abuse + right to participate in decisions that affect them
- declining family size and lower infant mortality- encouraged parents to make a greater financial and emotional investment
- children’s development became subject of medical knowledge
- laws and policies that apply specifically to children- minimum ages for range of activities like sex or smoking
9
Q
Explain how childhood is disappearing via Postman’s view ‘childhood is disappearing at a dazzling speed’?
A
- children are becoming more like adults gaining and acting similar rights
- even now children can be seen committing ‘adult’ crimes such as murder, similar clothing types
- lies in rise and fall in print culture- in the middle ages, ppl perhaps were illiterate, speech was the only skill needed in adult world. Children able to enter adult society from early age- no division between adult world and child world
- he also argued that childhood emerged as a separate status along with mass literacy from 19th C onward
- this is bc printed world creates hierarchy: sharp division between adults who can read and children who cannot- giving adults the power keep knowledge about Sex, Money, Violence, illness, death and other secrets, childhood came to be associated with innocence and ignorance
-television blurs distinction between childhood and adulthood by destroying info hierarchy- TV does not require special skills to access it, and makes info available to adults and children alike. Boundary between adult and child is broken down, adult authority diminishes and ignorance and innocence of childhood replaced by knowledge and cynicisms - some ppl suggest further evidence for disappearance of childhood is the way there is now a blurring of adulthood and childhood- adults and children’s tastes and styles become indistinguishable- foods like Pizza or burgers- paintballing- children in more mature clothing
- however Postman over-emphasies a single factor, e.g. rising living standards and legal changes
10
Q
Explain how childhood is disappearing via consumerism as children demand more access to adult world sooner?
A
- spend a lot of time on social media like Porn, Instagram- Instagram kids may see things that make them feel insecure
11
Q
Explain how childhood is disappearing via children and adults lead separate lives and role of parent is suggesting parenthood is diminishing?
A
- particularly older children and adults lead separate lives
- Silva- roles of parents may be diminishing in face of growing importance of peers, teachers and other influences that children are exposed to through media such as film, TV, DVDs, computer games, mobiles etc
- many children now have own room- own TV and computer access and mobile phones - means parents are no longer able to control or navigate range of info, images and values that their children see and regulate behaviour
- Palmer suggests parents increasingly use modern tech- argues all factors keep children occupied- combined with busy and stressed parental life- depriving children off proper childhood - ‘toxic childhood syndrome’ social and behaviour problems
12
Q
Explain how childhood is disappearing as children are growing up too soon and sexualised at early age?
A
- Margo suggests another indicator of loss of childhoods that over past 50 yrs, avg age of intercourse fell in 50s was 20 for men and 21 women, by 90’s was 16 for both- dress and act differently
13
Q
Explain how childhood is not disappearing via childhood continuing to be a separate age state?
A
-Opie- based on lifetime research into children’s games, toys and songs- strong evidence that childhood culture remains important
14
Q
Explain how childhood is not disappearing via childhood in postmodernity?
A
- Jenks argues it is not disappearing- rather changing - agrees with Aries upon childhood being a section of modern society- for Jenks- modern society was concerned with ‘futuring’ and childhood seen as a preparation for the individuals to become a productive adult in future. To achieve this- the vulnerable, underdeveloped child needs to be protected and controlled -> discipline and conformity on kids
- argues childhood once again undergoing change as society moves away from modernity to postmodernity - in modern society- adult relationships= more stable but in PM pace of change speeds up-> insecurity as unstable relationships- relationships with children become more important as an identity source
-post modern society -> relations with children thus become adults lost refugee from constant uncertainty and upheaval of life - adults more fearful for child security
- strengthens view children as vulnerable and need of protection
15
Q
How has the position of children improved- March of progress view
A
- MOP view argues over past centuries, position of children via western societies improved better than ever before
- writers such as Aries and Shorter argue today’s children are more valued, better cared for, protected and educated, enjoy better health and have more rights than previous generations- for example- children today protected from harm and exploitation by laws against child abuse and child labour while array of professionals and specialists catered for educational, psychological and medical needs
- govts tend to spend huge sums on their education
- better health care and higher standards of living also mean babies have much better survival chance than century ago- in 1900- infant mortality rate was 154 per 1000 now approx. 4
- financially and emotionally invested in childhood- parents have high aspirations for them
