Childhood

Question 1

What did Aries say about childhood ?

Answer 1

• Aries - childhood didn’t exist in the Middle Ages as all shared the same responsibility / However now there is a modern notion of childhood and there is now a distinction between children and adults

Question 2

What did Postman say about childhood ?

Answer 2

• Postman - Childhood is ‘disappearing’ / children and adults have same rights / TV & information hierarchy as adults can’t keep ‘adult’ matters private / children commit ‘adult’ crimes

Question 3

What is the March of Progress view on childhood?

Answer 3

• Shorter - Children in the Middle Ages were neglected
• MOP view - childhood has improved significantly / children are perceived as vulnerable / introduction of laws ,e.g, banning child labour

Question 4

What is ‘Toxic Childhood’ ?

Answer 4

• Palmer - Technological and cultural change have damaged children’s physical, emotional and intellectual development / result of intensive marketing, parents working long hours and testing in education

Question 5

What is ‘Age Patriarchy’ ?

Answer 5

• Gittins - there is an age patriarchy of adult domination and child dependency / This may assert itself in the form of violence against children