Childhood Flashcards
2 ways childhood is a social construct
Cross cultural differences
Historical differences
How does Benedict support cross cultural differences
Children non industrial societies treated differently modern western counterparts e.g. Different views childrens sexual behaviours, distinction adults less clear, children more responsibility, less emphasis on obedience
How do non-industrial societies differ to Western societies Benedict cross cultural differences
Childhood seen special and innocent time of life, fundamentally different to adulthood - physically immature and incompetent. Need lengthy protection and socialisation
How does Pilcher support cross cultural differences
Childhood is a distinct life stage
Key feature is separateness
How does Cunnigham support cross cultural differences
Children are opposite to adults with right to happiness
Outline historical differences - experiences in past
Aries childhood did not exist in medieval Europe
Expected work from young age, shared responsibilities, duties and skills as adults, children not seen as having different nature to adults
Outline historical differences - experiences now
Children protected working through labour laws and education, schools specialised education for young, churches see them as fragile creatures of god, growing distinction
Shorter: 20th century, century of the child cult of childhood
How does Postman argue childhood is disappearing
TV culture replacing Print Culture
How is TV Culture replacing Print culture making childhood disappear
Children becoming more like adults, gaining similar rights and acting in similar ways
Print culture - lacked literacy skills needed access adult information
TV culture - information easily accessed breaking down boundaries
Who evaluates Postman
Opie
Why does Opie criticise Postman
Childhood isnt disappearing childrens culture still exists e.g. Games/songs/jokes
Others argue it is western norms e.g. Nuclear family, going to school, separate life stage - more widespread, exported globally
Who researches into childhood in post Modernity
Jenks
What does Jenks post modernity say
Childhood prepare individual to be a productive future worker
Underdeveloped child needs protecting and nurturing
Outline post modernity point on view of childhood
Modern society adult relationships are becoming more unstable, children become a last refuge from insecurity
Adults turn to children as a result they become more worried for their safety enforcing stricter rules and regulation childrens lives
What are the points for the future of childhood
Postman - TV culture replacing Print Culture
Jenks - Post Modernity
Points for if the position of childhood has improved
Post modernity Toxic Childhood Conflict view Age patriarchy New sociology of childhood
What is the post modernity argument for why childhood has improved
Aries and Shorter Family more home centred and privatised
Smaller families and better housing - afford meet childs needs, more babies surviving - IMR fell 154 to 4. Protected from exploitation and abuse - child labour and abuse laws. Better cared for terms of medical, educational and psychological needs
Does post modernity argue position of childhood has improved?
Yes
Outline toxic childhood explanation of whether childhood has improved
Palmer: rapid technological and cultural change e.g. Junk food, computer games, parents working long hours, exams, deprived of genuine childhood.
UNICEF 2007 UK 21st out of 25 for childrens wellbeing
UK youth near top league tables for self harm, substance abuse, pregnancies, violence, obesity
Outline conflict view of future of childhood
Marx and fem
Conflict between children: ethnic, class, gender
Conflict between adults and children: Firestone extensive care and protection further form oppression e.g. Child labour laws form inequality
Ethnic conflicts between children
Asian parents stricter on their daughters
Class conflicts between children
Poor cant afford resources
More likely to die
Less likely to do well in education
Gender conflicts between children
More responsibility given and expected from girls
Evaluation of conflict between adults and children
Some adult laws do benefit children e.g. Laws against child abuse
Outline age patriarchy future of childhood
Gittens adults control childrens lives through times (bedtimes) space (where they can go) bodies (eat and wear) keeps children subordinate
Economically dependent for longer preventing working longer
Physical emotion and sexual abuse. Over 40,000 on child protection register
What did Hockey and James say on age patriarchy
Children are trying to escape the modern status of childhood by acting older than they are e.g. Smoking and drinking
Outline new sociology view of childhood
Socially constructed processes such as industrialisation. Risk seeing children passive objects. Instead active agents important role shaping own childhoods
Multiple childhoods lacks childs viewpoint diverse amount
Whose research supports new sociology of childhood children active agents
Smarts study of divorce found children actively involved trying to make it better
Why favours new sociology of childhood and why
Child liberationists
Draws attention to the fact children often lack power to adults
