Childhood

Question 1

Reasons for the changes in position of childhood

Answer 1

1. Legislation (restricting child labour, child protection - prevention of cruelty to children act etc. , compulsory schooling - remain dependent
2. Declining family size- child centred
3. Lower infant mortality rate
4. Children’s developmetbhwcije subject of medical knowledge
5. Laws tailored to children - minimum wage etc. = apart of point 1 tbf
6. Notion of romantic love - ppl get into rls based on love and children are product of that love and cherished - not economic gain

Question 2

March of progress view

Answer 2

They argue that position of children in western societies has significantly improved

Argue today’s children - better cared for more valued etc

Family and society is more child centred
- no longer seen but not heard
- parents invest in children financially, emotionally etc

much of media output and leisure activities designed for children

Question 3

Examples of sociologist that’s take March of progress view

Answer 3

Aries, shorter

Question 4

Conflict view of childhood

Answer 4

They believe society is based on conflict between classes, gender etc

Some overpowered or underpowered

They believe the March of progress view take an idealised view and ignore inequalities

Question 5

Inequalities among children

Answer 5

Not all have same life experiences

Factors affecting childhood, making it not equal

• nationality
• gender - socialisation
• ethnicity - Asian families (boys vs girls )
• class: w/c vs m/c
  (poor mothers = low weight babies )
• poor children - poor healthcare, fall behind in school

Question 6

Inequalities between adults and children

Answer 6

Firestone and holt

Adult control
- neglect and abuse
- control over children’s space (movement regulated)
- control over children’s time( routines) = contracts with holmes
- control over children’s bodies = clothes, hairstyles touching bodies

• control over children’s access to resources - limited opportunities to earn money = remain dependent
  • pocket money
  • child benefit
  • low paid , part time work

Question 7

New sociology of childhood

Answer 7

They believe seeing childhood as socially constructed helps us see how childhood has changed but there is danger in seeing children as merely passive objects who have no part in making their own childhood