CHILDHOOD

Question 1

Pilcher

Modern western view

Answer 1

Childhood is separateness - clear and distinct life stage, separate status from adults

‘Golden age’ of happiness and innocence *

Question 2

Wagg

Answer 2

Childhood is socially constructed

There is no single universal childhood

Question 3

Aries

Answer 3

Childhood Did not exist. Children were seen as many adults, they had the same clothing rights duties and skill as an adult
For example they have the same punishment.

Question 4

Gittins

Answer 4

Age patriarchy - inequalities between adults and children

Question 5

Benedict - non industrial cultures

Answer 5

Less of a dividing line between behaviour expected of children - illustrates childhood not a fixed thing - THIS IS USED FOR CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Question 6

Criticism to Aries

Pollock

Answer 6

Pollock -

Middle Ages had a different notion of childhood from today’s, not that it didn’t exist

Question 7

Changes in children’s position

Answer 7

• laws restricting child labour
• compulsory schooling
• child protecting and welfare
• declining in family size & lower infant mortality

Question 8

Postman

Answer 8

Childhood is ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’ - from information hierarchy
PRINT CULTURE decreased = new media allows children to understand adult things (sex, violence…) - No longer distinguishable.

Question 9

Jenks

Answer 9

Childhood is changing due to our postmodern world - relationships are more unstable so the child becomes an important part of identity and stability

Question 10

What is child-centredness?

Answer 10

Family has down sized - help afford for the child’s need properly
Look after and protect the child

Question 11

Sue Palmer

Answer 11

Toxic childhood -

Due to technological and cultural changes: junk food, computers

Question 12

What does the march of progresses believe ?

Answer 12

Childhood has improved dramatically

Question 13

What does marxist and feminists believe ?

Criticise March of progress

Answer 13

March of progress view is based on false and idealised image, ignores important inequalities:

• inequalities among children
• inequality between children and adults (greater control, oppressions, protection)

Question 14

Bonke

Inequalities among children

Answer 14

Girls found to do more domestic labour - 5x for likely in line parent families compared to boys

Question 15

Firestone and Holt

Inequalities between children and adults

Answer 15

‘Protection’ from paid work is not a benefit to children = helps adults control children. Children are powerless

Question 16

Inequalities between children and adults?

Answer 16

• neglect and abuse
• control over children’s space
• control over children’s time
• control over children’s bodies
• control over access and resource

Question 17

Who talks about age patriarchy?

Answer 17

Gittins -

Described inequalities between adults and children

Question 18

Hockey and James - links to Gittins age patriarchy

Answer 18

Status of holders and restrictions - not allowed to swear = gets told off

• no smoking
• no drinking
• no sexual behaviour