childhood as a social construct Flashcards
what can childhood be seen as?
a social construct
what is a social construct?
something that is created by society and constructed by social meanings
evidence that childhood is socially constructed
the differing status, responsibilities and treatment of children in contemporary cultures
the way the nature of children and childhood, and the status, responsibilities and treatment of children throughout history has changed is viewed differently
the differences between children’s status and responsibilities even in the same society
the western notion of childhood
children are seen as fundamentally different to adults
physically and psychologically immature
need to be protected and nurtured before they are ready for adult society
childhood as a distinct stage
jane pilcher (1995)
laws regulate what children can do
differences in clothing
products and services
childhood is seen as a ‘golden age’
children are seen as vulnerable and need protection
no paid work
sphere of education and family
non industrial society treatment of children:
they take responsibility at a young age
samantha punch (2001)
studied childhood in bolivia
expected to take work responsibilities in the home and community
non industrial society treatment of children:
less value is placed on showing obedience to adult authority
raymond firth (1970)
among the tikopia tribe of the western pacific, doing as you’re told by an adult is a concession to be granted by the child, not a right to be expected by an adult
non industrial society treatment of children:
children’s sexual behaviour is often viewed differently
bronislaw malinowski (1957)
among the trobriand islanders, adults took on attitudes of ‘tolerance and amused interest’ towards children’s sexual explorations
philippe aries (1960)
the middle ages
childhood did not exist
not seen as having different needs to adults
soon after being weaned, children entered wider society
children were mini adults with the same rights, duties and skills as an adult
philippe aries (1960)
the modern notion of childhood
schools came to specialise the education of the young
there was a growing distinction between adulthood and childhood
by the 18th century, handbooks on childbearing were available
these developments have led to the cult of childhood
why does aries argue that childhood did not exist in the middle ages?
high infant mortality rate
low expectation of life
large families
children had little to no education
children started work at around 6 years old
most adults were young and had childlike qualities
children often went to work away from home
reasons for changes in the position of children
introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880
child protection and welfare legislation
growth of children’s rights
declining family size and lower infant mortality rate
laws and policies that apply specifically to children
children’s health and development became the subject of medical knowledge
laws restricting child labour and excluding children from work
globalisation of childhood
western notion of childhood is spreading
campaigns for universal education
charities focused on helping street children and preventing child labour
globalised tv and media
neil postman (1994)
childhood is disappearing ‘at dazzling speed’
children are given the same rights as adults
traditional childhood games have disappeared
in an extreme case, children are now committing adult crimes such as murder
what is postman’s theory?
communication and technology is the primary shaper of society
