Childhood

Question 1

Childhood is a social construct

Answer 1

This means it is created by society rather than simply being a biological stage in a persons life.
This is because different societies and different historical eras have different ideas about what it means to be a child, how children should be treated and what is expected of a child

Question 2

Evidence for the claim that childhood is not a social construct

Answer 2

Biology - childhood is made up of several stages of a persons life throughout which the body goes through many physical changes, each of which brings the individual closer to adulthood

Question 3

Childhood in the Middle Ages

Answer 3

The idea of childhood didn’t exist. Children were seen and treated as little adults (work, dress). Parents were indifferent to their children (as infant mortality was high) who were a mere economic asset. Punishments were the same ( hanging for theft)

Question 4

Childhood by the 17th century

Answer 4

There was a distinction in children’s and adult clothing

Question 5

Childhood by the 18th century

Answer 5

There were books on child rearing. These were, however only available to the middle class.

Question 6

Childhood during the industrial revolution

Answer 6

W/c children worked 14hrs per day/ 6 days a week in factories, mines and mills. They were an economic asset. However m/c children started to be loved as their morality rates declined

Question 7

Childhood in the 19th century

Answer 7

The idea of childhood started at the end of the 19th century. The upper classes sent their children to schools and laws had been introduced banning children from working in mines and factories. 1908 children’s charter classified children to the age of 14 so the idea of childhood started to develop.

Question 8

Childhood in the 20th century

Answer 8

Child centred children are loved, valued and protected. Schools 5-16. Doctors, teachers, social workers, toys, books, technology, T.V, food and drinks, laws