CHILDHOOD 5

Question 1

what does ‘socially constructed’ mean

Answer 1

something created, made and defined by a society

Question 2

what is ‘seperatedness’

Answer 2

childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage, children occupy a separate status to adults

Question 3

define ‘toxic childhood’

Answer 3

damage to children’s emotional, intellectual or physical development as a result of their childhood experiences, eg. absent parents or technology

Question 3

reasons for change in position of children

Answer 3

introduction of compulsory schooling- 1880
laws restricting child labour- 1933
child protection and welfare legislation 1898
declining infant mortality rates- greater investments in children

Question 4

what is an ‘age patriatchy’

Answer 4

adult domination that keeps children subordinate (giddens)

Question 5

how is the separateness of adult and children’s lives shown in the west

Answer 5

toys, different dress, laws protecting children

Question 5

what does Pilcher say about childhood

Answer 5

it is a clear and distinct life stage

Question 6

how does society see childhood

Answer 6

as a golden age of innocence and happiness- leading lives of leisure and play

Question 7

what does Wagg argue about childhood

Answer 7

no one childhood experience is the same

Question 8

examples of cross cultural differences in childhood

Answer 8

rural Bolivia- children have responsibility
Samoan village- being too young is never and excuse
Trobriander islanders take and attitude of amusement and tolerance to children’s sexual exploration and activities

Question 9

examples of historical differences in childhood

Answer 9

childhood is a relatively recent development, it did not exist in medieval europe
parents were indifferent and treated children like mini adults

Question 10

when and why did childhood begin to emerge

Answer 10

13th century, schooling clothing and books

Question 10

what does Postman say about the future of childhood

Answer 10

‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’ this is because we have the same rights as adults, similar clothes and activities

Question 11

globalisation of western childhood

Answer 11

being exported and imposed on the rest of the world

Question 12

what is causing the disappearance of childhood

Answer 12

fall of print culture and rise of tv

Question 13

what do Opie and Opie say about the disappearance of childhood

Answer 13

it is not disappearing, it is becoming separate. children are creating their own culture separate from that of adults

Question 14

how does the postmodern world impact childhood?

Answer 14

creates a sense of instability so parents rely more heavily on their children

Question 15

what does the conflict view say about childhood

Answer 15

not equal opportunities, many children are unprotected and badly cared for

Question 15

conflict view of childhood

Answer 15

marxists and feminists disagree with the march of progress view if childhood

Question 16

what do critics of the liberal view say (children should have freedom)

Answer 16

parents use their power over children for good, children cant make decisions themselves

Question 16

inequalities between children

Answer 16

nationality- developing countries have low birth rates
gender- boys have more freedom
ethnicity-asian parents more emphasis on education
social class-low birth rates, hyper activity

Question 17

inequalities between children and adults

Answer 17

control over- space, time, bodies, access to resources

Question 17

what does ‘new sociology of the childhood’ focus on

Answer 17

seeing children as active agents,

Question 18

what does the ‘new sociology of the childhood’ say about adults

Answer 18

adults see children as their socialisation project