Childhood Flashcards
Explain how childhood is a social construct
Benedict argues that children in simpler, non industrial societies are treated differently from their modern western counterparts as they take responsibility in the home and community at an early age and less value is placed on obedience to adult authority
Aries claims that in medieval Europe childhood didn’t exist and children weren’t seen as different in nature
Western notions of childhood are being globalised and childhood as a separate stage of life is being imposed on the rest of the world
Outline 2 ways society has become more child centred
Parents invest a great deal in their children emotionally and financially (by the time a child is 21 it is estimated they will have cost their parents over £27000)
Family and society has higher aspirations for children reflected in media output and leisure activities designed specifically for children
Outline 3 ways childhood isn’t protected
Palmer claims Rapid cultural and technological changes in the past 25 years have damaged children’s emotional, intellectual and physical development e.g. junk food, computer games, emphasis on testing in education
Margo and Dixon have drawn on studies which show UK youth are at the top or near the top of international league tables for self harm, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse
What is the future of childhood
There are developments which point to the end of childhood
However other evidence points towards the continuation of childhood as a separate life stage
