Childhood Flashcards
How is childhood defined
Most sociologists see childhood as defined by society, it is more a social construct. It isnt fixed and can differ dependant on time and place.
The modern western notion of childhood
Pilcher - Major emphasis on child seperatedness. Childhood is seen as a distinct and different life stage and children within modern western society have a different status from that of adults.
- There are laws regulating what children can and cant do. They also dress differently form adults and use different products and services.
- Childhood is seen as a golden age of vulnerability and due to this we may see children as needing more care, and to be protected
How are children defined in todays western cultures
Vulnerable
Unable to fend for themselves
Cross-cultural
- They take responsibility at an early age in Bolivia. Punchs study of children found once children are around 5 years they are expected to take on work responsibility
- Less value placed on children showing obedience to adults. Firth found among the Tikopia doing as you are told is regarded as a concession from the child and adults shouldnt expect it
- Childrens sexual behaviour is viewed diff. Malinowski found in south-west Pacific islanders took a view of tolerance and amusement to childrens sexual identity
Historical differences in childhood
10-13th century
Aries
It did not exist, children were seen the same as adults
Historical differences in childhood
Middle ages
- Became seperate stages
- However soon after being weaned the child entered -society on the same terms as an adult, going into work.
- Children were mini-adults with same rights duties and skills as adults.
- Aries uses works of art to describe this, there was no clear differentiation of children and adults in art from this time.
- Shorter says higher death rates encourage neglect as parents did not want to get attached. Many parents called baby ‘it’ and forgot how many children they had.
Aries
Elements of modern notion of childhood emerging
- Schools to specialise in education of the young
- Distinction between adult and child clothing
- By the 18th century books on childhood were widely availiable.
Reason for changes in position of children
- Laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work, children stopped becoming financial assets and became financial liabilities.
- Introduction of compulsory schooling. The raising of school leaving age has extended period of dependancy
- Child protection and welfare legislation - 1899 prevention of cruelty to children act
- Growth of the idea of human right
- Declining family size and infant mortality rate
- Minimum age for activities
Position of children
March of progress view
This view argues over the last few centuries the posiiton of children in western society has been steadily improving and today is better then it ever has been.
Lloyd de mause argues history of childhood is a nightmare from which we are only now waking up.
- We now have bette healthcare and resources mean babies are more likely to survive
- Society is now child centered
Position of children
Conflict view
They critise the MOP view
- There are still inequalities amongst children as many remain unprotected and badly cared for
- Inequalities between children and adults are greater then ever, greater controll, oppression and dependancy not care and protection
Inequalities among children
Not all children share the same status or experiences, children of different nationalities are likely to experience different childhoods
There also are gender differences between children, Hillman argues boys are more likely to be out after dark unaccompanied and Bonke found females are more likely to complete domestic tasks - esp in LPF where they do 5x more then boyse
Ethnic differences in children
Brannen found amongst a study of 15-16 year olds that asian parents were more likely to be stricter ot their daughters - Bhatti found the idea of izzat could be a big factor especially impacting on what daughters did in the community.
Class inequalities between children
- poor mothers are more likely to have low weight babies which could impact on the childs development both physically and intellectually.
- Children born in poor famillies are also more likely to have long term illness and to fall back in school
- Children of unskilled manual workers are more likely to have hyperactivity
Inequality between adults and children
- Firestone and halt argue that things MOP view as protection and care are actually in only place to control and oppress.
- They see the need to free children from the oppression and view this as child liberation
Neglect and abuse
Adult control over children may result in emotional and sexual abuse and also emotional and phsycial neglect.
controls over childrens space
- shops that say no schoolchildren
- specific child friendly areas
- close survellience of children in public especially when they should be in school
- More fear about stranger danger and more c hildren are being driven to school rather then making their way independantly
- Contrats with views of independance of children in developing countries KATZ describes how in sudan children can rom freely
control over childrens time
Adults now control childrens routines greatly
They define if a chhild is the suitable age for activities contrasting with Holmes view that Samoans are never seen as ‘too young’ for tasks.
Controls over childrens bodies
Adults have major control over childrens bodies including how they sit, what they wear. It is taken for granted that children may be touched by certain adults, they are washed, fed and cuddled and may be cuddled and slapped to be disciplined.
Adults also restict the way children touch themslves for exapmple picking nose, and touching genitals which contracts the sexual freedom children have in non-industrial cultures in islands.
Controls over childrens access to resources
They must depends economically on adults due to laws preventing them from work
- Labour laws exclude them from all work exept low paid part time.
- Although child benefit is paid, it goes to the adult
- Pocket money is given dependant on behaviour and is restricted on what they can spend on
Contrasts with children in developing countries. KATZ found in Sudan children were in productive work by 3/4.
Age patriarchy
Gittins uses this term to define inequality between adults and children. Gittens argues there is also age patriarchy in adult domination and child depndancy
This power today may assert in violence in violence against women and childre
Thiara found a quarter of a study of 200 women left abusive parters out of fear for childrens lives.
Acting up - breaking rules by acting like adults
Acting down - behaving in ways society expects and demaning ot be held etc
However critics argues there are laws in place to prevent this
New sociology of childhood
Doesnt see children as adults in the making, but as active agents who play a role in creating their own childhoods
Childs point of view
Mayall argues we need to focus on present tense in order to understand childs experience.
- - Smarts study of divorce : children play an active role in making evryone feel better
- Studies use unstructed interviews to empower children to express their own views on the experience of childhood
- enables sociologists to explore the diverse multiple childhoods that exist within one society
- Draws attention to the fact children lack power
