Childhood

Question 1

what do sociologists say about childhood?

Answer 1

its a social construct and a biological stage of development. the position of the child depends on the norms, values and culture of a society

Question 2

how has the idea of childhood developed?

Answer 2

education leaving age has moved from 12-18 in the last century. legal marriage age is 16. Jane Pilcher highlighted the separateness of childhood from other life stages-children have different rights and duties and are regulated and protected by special laws.

Question 3

what does Aries say about the construction of childhood?

Answer 3

in medieval society a child was just a ‘mini adult’ they worked and dressed the same as them as soon as they were physically able. in industrial times, the social attitude changed and people started valuing children as needing special attention and care. this was first developed through the middle class as they could afford for their children not to work.

Question 4

how has the status of children changed?

Answer 4

society is more child-focussed. infant mortality rates have decreased. families are getting smaller so more attention is devoted to less children. children are protected by laws eg sexual behaviour, access to alcohol and tobacco. - children act 1989

Question 5

how does gender, class and ethnicity effect childhood?

Answer 5

children living in poverty have poorer health, lack of basics, lower achievement in school. ethnicity may influence where they live. boys have more freedom than girls (Hilman et al)

Question 6

how does different culture effect childhood?

Answer 6

Wagg-childhood depends on historical and cultural societies.

Question 7

how is British society more child focussed than ever?

Answer 7

children are now recognised as having human rights. child support agency gave children the right to be supported by their parents financially. children have a say in custody cases.

Question 8

what do some sociologists say about the concept of childhood on children?(PPP)

Answer 8

Palmer-toxic childhood. Postman-blurring distinctions between adulthood and childhood (kidults). Phillips-children have too many rights and parents have lost authority

Question 9

define the social construct of childhood

Answer 9

natural stage in life that is not just biological but shaped by society through norms and values

Question 10

what is the conventional approach to childhood?

Answer 10

children are vulnerable and need protection from the adult society

Question 11

what is the march or progress theory and name some theorists?

Answer 11

we have changed. concept of childhood has evolved. theories that think childhood is a good thing e.g. aries,

Question 12

what does Pugh say about childhood? (has a conventional approach)

Answer 12

“parents are cash rich but time poor”. consumption as compensation for broken families or poor parenting, give children material things rather than love and attention

Question 13

what are feminists view on childhood? name some feminists

Answer 13

Hillman; girls are restricted more than boys
Brannen; Asian families are stricter with daughters than sons
Bonke;girls perform more household chores

Question 14

what are Marxists view on childhood?

Answer 14

children are the reserve army of labour and families are units of consumption. childhood was created to exploit and make profits for capitalists. childhood highlights inequality amongst social class

Question 15

what are Functionalist views on childhood?

Answer 15

childhood see the position of children in society as a sign of progress. society has a need for better educated citizens and lower infant mortality rates so school leaving age increased and child protection improved. current position of children is a result of positive progression from the past

Question 16

what do child liberationalists believe society does to children?

Answer 16

society oppresses children. they see the increased protection of children and their separation from adult life as oppressive. Gittens; age patriarchy-adults maintain authority over children

Question 17

how does childhood vary according to class?

Answer 17

those in poverty tend to have poorer health, a lack of basic necessities, lower achievement in school, poorer life chances and higher incidences of neglect and abuse.

Question 18

how does childhood vary according to ethnicity?

Answer 18

Statham and Owens found black and dual heritage children were more likely to end up in care than white or Asian children. ethnicity may influence where a child lives.

Question 19

how does childhood vary according to gender?

Answer 19

Brannen- Asian families are stricter with daughters than sons. Hillman; parents generally give boys more freedom than girls to travel unaccompanied, cross roads and go out after dark. Bonke; girls perform more household chores than boys - especially in lone parent households.

Question 20

give some examples of how childhood is different in different cultures.

Answer 20

Wagg; construction of childhood varies across different historical and cultural societies. (children may not be seen as vulnerable and can have a similar status to adults in some cultures.) Punch; children growing up in the countryside in Bolivia were given responsibilities and work at the age of 5.