Childhood Flashcards
Social construction of childhood
- It is an idea greater by society, it is not the result of biology but a set of ideas created in society
- Age is a biological fact but ideas about age are socially constructed
- ‘Childhood’ is not the same in different societies and at different points in time.
- There are variations in terms of expectations of behaviour and capabilities, rights and responsibilities, dress and appearance, legal status, economic role, longevity of childhood etc.
Cross - cultural examples
- Child Soldiers
- Indigenous Bolivian tribes expect children to work from 5 years old
- Malinowski found tolerance (and even humour) of sexual activity by children in the Trobriand Islanders
Historical notions of childhood
Phillipe Ariès (1962)- ‘Centuries of Childhood’
• In medieval society, ‘childhood’ did not exist, it only appeared in the fifteenth century
• After the dependent stage of infancy, children were ‘absorbed into the world of adults’
• Children were not depicted as any different to adults in paintings
Postman
‘the disappearance of childhood’
o Life was originally communal and children were not protected from life
o Little significant different between adults and children
• The change in childhood was mirrored by the changes in adulthood (printed press, spread of literacy) giving greater power over children
• Children were now seen as being in need of control and discipline
Modern ideas of Western childhood
- Ariès- childhood emerged with industrialisation, as working class and middle treated their children differently (working class childhood was much closer to medieval, middle class children would be more likely to receive an education)
- Children could only be employed after the age of 10 (1930s Factory Acts)
- By the 20th century, doctors and psychologists labelled childhood as special time of development, and children were given dietary, dental and medical care, as well as social care
- Decline in birth rate and infant mortality meant families invested more time and affection into their children (child-centred society)
Reasons for change in position
Reasons for changed to the position of children
• Industrialisation needing a skilled workforce requiring a longer time spent in education
• Compulsory education from the end of the 19th century
• Lower infant mortality rates meant partners invested more in their children
• Growth of children rights in UK and globally
• Legal changed in the employment of young people
• Increased social provisions for the protection of young people
Children and inequality
• Major inequalities as a result of wanting to protect and control children with discipline
Economic inequality
• compulsory schooling until 18, laws making children financially dependent
Parental control
• parents control the behaviour of children, determining what they can do at certain ages (setting bedtimes etc)
Control and Surveillance
• where children can go and when is dictated and cctv in schools and play areas, fear of strangers etc.
Inequality between children
- Boys are more likely to be given leeway in their behaviour, especially outside of the home, while girls are seen as more vulnerable and to be protected
- Close correlation between poverty and physical and intellectual development
- In different ethnic groups, girls may be more controlled and monitored
March of progress
• March of Progress theorists see that the changes are in the interests of children- more rights, greater protection, better health and education, benefits them.
Gittins
• Gittins sees this as ‘age patriarchy’ - adult men controlling children in similar ways to those they use to control women (state intervention projects them from abuse or neglect)
Palmer
• Palmer argues that many changes are damaging to childhood, increasing obesity, alcohol and drug abuse, earlier sexual experience and computer games all target children
Lee
• Lee claims that children are exploited by media.
