Childhood Flashcards
What does childhood is socially constructed mean ?
It is created and defined by society it is not a fixed universal status
What 3 topic show that childhood is socially constructed ?
Cross cultural differences
Historical evidence
Legal changes
How does cross cultural evidence show that childhood is socially constructed ? Use children’s responsibility evidence
Different countries see the age at which children should take responsibility differently- Punch found in Bolivia that once a child reached age 5 they were expected to take on work responsibilities without hesitation or questioning
- Holmes found in Samoa there was no age to be ‘too young’ to undertake tasks
How does children’s sexual behavior in cross cultural evidence show that childhood is socially constructed ?
In different countries children’s sexual activity is viewed in different ways - in Britain the age of consent is 16 - in Germany it is lowered to 14 whereas in Samoa girls aged 12/13 are specter to have and raise children
What does Benedict argue about non-industrial cultures ?
Less of a dividing line between behavior expected of children and that of adults - therefore socially constructed
What historical evidence is there that childhood is not fixed and universal?
Aries found from pre industrial items that there was no evidence of childhood - instead children were viewed as mini adults, dressed the same , worked the same, punished the same - they were an economic asset to parents as they could be sent out to work.aroes found this from artworks from that period
Industrialization found children in the mills and mines (mostly working class) as laws came into place restricting this- education became accessible - mainly for middle class however working class continued to reject this
20th century saw a child centered society as children moved from economic assets to liabilities who needed nurturing and socializing, education became compulsory , laws separated their behavior from that of adults
What are the legal reasons for changes in children’s position in society ?
Laws restricting child Labour and removing children from paid work
Compulsory schooling of the young
Child protection and welfare legislation - increasing children’s rights
Minimum sex and smoking age - separated adult and child behavior
What reasons other than law have resulted in a change in children’s position in society?
Declining family size and lower IMR - more love within the family - emotionally invested
Children’s development became a medical focus
