Childhood

Question 1

2 ways childhood is a social construct

Answer 1

Cross cultural differences

Historical differences

Question 2

How does Benedict support cross cultural differences

Answer 2

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

Question 3

How do non-industrial societies differ to Western societies Benedict cross cultural differences

Answer 3

Childhood seen special and innocent time of life, fundamentally different to adulthood - physically immature and incompetent. Need lengthy protection and socialisation

Question 4

How does Pilcher support cross cultural differences

Answer 4

Childhood is a distinct life stage

Key feature is separateness

Question 5

How does Cunnigham support cross cultural differences

Answer 5

Children are opposite to adults with right to happiness

Question 6

Outline historical differences - experiences in past

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Outline historical differences - experiences now

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How does Postman argue childhood is disappearing

Answer 8

TV culture replacing Print Culture

Question 9

How is TV Culture replacing Print culture making childhood disappear

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Who evaluates Postman

Answer 10

Opie

Question 11

Why does Opie criticise Postman

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Who researches into childhood in post Modernity

Answer 12

Jenks

Question 13

What does Jenks post modernity say

Answer 13

Childhood prepare individual to be a productive future worker
Underdeveloped child needs protecting and nurturing

Question 14

Outline post modernity point on view of childhood

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are the points for the future of childhood

Answer 15

Postman - TV culture replacing Print Culture

Jenks - Post Modernity

Question 16

Points for if the position of childhood has improved

Answer 16

Post modernity 
Toxic Childhood
Conflict view
Age patriarchy
New sociology of childhood

Question 17

What is the post modernity argument for why childhood has improved

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Does post modernity argue position of childhood has improved?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

Outline toxic childhood explanation of whether childhood has improved

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Outline conflict view of future of childhood

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Ethnic conflicts between children

Answer 21

Asian parents stricter on their daughters

Question 22

Class conflicts between children

Answer 22

Poor cant afford resources
More likely to die
Less likely to do well in education

Question 23

Gender conflicts between children

Answer 23

More responsibility given and expected from girls

Question 24

Evaluation of conflict between adults and children

Answer 24

Some adult laws do benefit children e.g. Laws against child abuse

Question 25

Outline age patriarchy future of childhood

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What did Hockey and James say on age patriarchy

Answer 26

Children are trying to escape the modern status of childhood by acting older than they are e.g. Smoking and drinking

Question 27

Outline new sociology view of childhood

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Whose research supports new sociology of childhood children active agents

Answer 28

Smarts study of divorce found children actively involved trying to make it better

Question 29

Why favours new sociology of childhood and why

Answer 29

Child liberationists

Draws attention to the fact children often lack power to adults