childhood- paper 2 Flashcards
Benedict
In non-industrial cultures there is much less of a divide between children and adult experience. ideas he found suggest childhood is not a fixed thing found universally in the same form in all human societies but is socially constructed differences from culture to culture
Wagg (1992)
childhood social construction- created and defined by society rather than simply a biological state. Ideas about childhood varys between different cultures societies and different historical periods
They take responsibility at a young age
Samonh Punch’s (2001) study of childhood in rural Bolivia found that once a child was 5 they are expected to take work responsibilities in the homes and in the community. Tasks are taken on without questioning of hesitation
Similarly lowell homes (1974) study of Samoan village found children will never ‘to young’ was never a reason not to do a task. regardless of the danger if the parent thought they could haddle it then they would.
less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority
amount the Tikopia of western pacific doing as you are told by a grown-up is regarded as a concent to be granted by the child not the right to be expected by the adults.
Phillipe Aries (1962)
Evaluation
argues that childhood is a relatively ‘recent’ invention. used paintings to explore childhood in pre- industrial societies had no concept of childhood
From the age of 5 or 6 considered as ‘little adults’ and an economic asset. Adults and children can’t be distinguished
March of progress- over the past few
centuries, the position of children has improved. today children are more
valued, better cared for protected the family and society have become more child centred. Become obsessed with the physical, moral and sexual problems of childhood
paintings only available to the rich, give only a snap shot, not the real picture
pre-industrial society-
-childhood didnt exist
-children were seen as ‘little adults’ took part in the same work and play activities as adults
-toys/ gaming pacifically for children did not exist
-children seen as an economic asset father than something to be care for.
-children punished for crime same as adults. (in Tudor times 7 year olds would be hung for stealing )
Industrialization 18th-19th century
widespread child labour
-children from WC families still worked in mines, factories
-MC attitudes started to change parents investing emotionally in children was started to fall.
Mid 19th century
-adult started to be concerned for children e.g. beggars child prostitutes
-children banned from working in factories/ mines where many deaths had happened
-some WC parents resisted change as they depended on there child’s wages continued to be treated badly
20th centry
-emergence of child- centered society ‘children are valued loved and protected
-as a result of improving standards of living= major decline in infant morality rates
-increased availability of contesepectives means couples could choose to have fewer children=invest more time in them in terms of love socialisation and protection
cultural differences in childhood
-not all children are free from adult responsibilities. in Britain long time between childhood and adulthood- isn’t universal. in developing countrys childhood experiences is the same as Britains was in the past. They work on the land/ factories. they are not protected by labour laws and experience long hours with low pay and exploited as well as child poverty
-International Labour organization says 5-17 are involved in child labour in sub-sahara Africa
-in 21 countries children are actively involves in war (child soldiers)
evaluating differences between children in the same societies
-there were 4.4 million UK children living in poverty in 2019 according to government figures (30% of children)
-Brannen 1996 and Bhotti 1999- suggest that girls will have more restricted childhood than boys particularly Asian girls.
Margo et all 2006
Rucher parents can enhance there children personal and social development by letting them attend dance and music lessons, sporting educational activities.
Poorer children are more likely to spend their time with friends watching TV. Some children are forced to take jobs as soon as possible.
Peter Towsend (1979)
‘poverty in the UK’
Used questionares to measure in the Uk which he argued was more appropriate and useful than the official measurements
-accsed a large sample with is questionares and developed a measurement on index based on a great number of things such as food, clothes, food, leuse activities.
-He argues that people were relatively deprived if people did not have accsess to things that were available in wider society.
-people were more deproved than the state considered to be
-found 22% of the population was in poverty compared with 6% and 9% based on others mesures. (means testing/ comparing a households income to the average in that area.)
Arguments for a child censured society
-children have there own food, drinks, toys, doctors, teachers
-introduction of laws (employment, rights, social services, minimum age)
-working week getting shorter
-Schooling compulsory education (children reliant on parents longer)
- mass social media
-Medicean- pediatrician, parenting skills, early year education
-Demographics changes- family size (getting smaller) infant morality
-parental fear- stranger danger, abduction
-Economic changes- higher wages, higher standards of living.
State intervened in the protection or children
-1908 children character- childhood classified up until the age of 14
-child support act 1991-protects children welfare in separation and divorce
-the state supervises children through compulsory education recently raising the compulsory learning age
