Childhood Flashcards
Some sociologists including Aries, argue that childhood is a ——-?
Social construction.
Aries claims that in the past, childhood ——.
Did not exist.
Aries states that children use to be no different than adults in the past. Give three pieces of evidence that support this?
- Children were expected to work at an early age to bring in income.
- The law did not divide adults and children.
- Art work from this time period shown that children appeared the same as adults just smaller - same clothes etc.
What does Pilcher criticise Aries view of being?
Value laden.
Aries lets his own values determine his research. Some children were cared for in the past.
Aries was criticised for arguing there was no concept of childhood in the medieval times….
It is argued by others it is better to say ideas on childhood were different then not existing at all.
Aries was criticised for generalising about modern childhood on the basis of data largely confined to…
French aristocratic families.
What is the March of Progress view on childhood?
It is getting better and steadily improving.
The March of Progress view believe childhood has —-?
changed over tine.
What does Shorter say about childhood? (functionalist)
there are different attitudes towards children than there were in the past
According to Shorter, families and societies have became more –? (functionalist)
child-centred.
Shorter (functionalist) makes the march of progress argument that society has a functional need for better-educated citizens and lower infant mortality rates.
This results in what?
School leaving ages have gone up and child protection has improved.
That means that the current position of children is the result of positive progression from the past.
Why is todays society more child-centred?
- more babies bow survive due to due improvements in sanitation and health care
- Children are entitled to education
- children are protected from harm
What does De mause say about childhood in modern society compared to childhood historically?
Levels of child abuse were significantly higher than they are in modern society (physical punishment and abandonment)
What is De mauses theory heavily influenced on?
psychoanalysis, suggesting that parental anxieties and unresolved childhood issues are passed down through generations, impacting how parents treat their children.
De Mause is a March of Progress Sociologist who sees childhood as –?
Significantly better than in the past regarding safety and treatment.
De mause argues childhood is better today due to –?
- Law improvement
- Education
-Child centred families - UN Rights of the child
- Protections and welfare services.
What do Marxist and Feminists criticise of The March of Progress view?
It is limited and too idealistic.
It fails to take account of the inequalities between adults and children.
What do the Conflict View say about The March of Progress view?
It is false because society is based on conflict and inequality.
Inequality between children - hierachy at home.
What does Postman argue has exposed children to the adult world?
Television and print media.
According to Postman, childhood is —?
disappearing ta a dazzling speed.
What does Postman say lack of supervision causes?
It exposes adulthood - through video games.
This is why children now can commit murder due to the information they can receive from the media which destroys their innocence.
According to Parsons, what does print culture create?
Information hierarchy - sharp division between adults who can read and children who can’t.
What does Opie say about childhood?
It is not disappearing but changing into a separate culture of childhood.
What does Opie mean when saying children still have a distinct media and culture?
Through kids toys, games and movies.
