childhood as a social construction Flashcards
What is a social construction?
a social phenomena that is not naturally occurring but instead is created by society and varies between different cultures.
What is biological determination?
Something regulated by biology
What is a child?
legally it is someone below the age of 18, biologically it is someone before going through puberty. This definition will vary between cultures.
What is childhood?
The period of time someone is considered a child.
What did Pilcher argue?
There is a separateness between adults and children. This is repeated in laws, clothes and services. Children are physically immature in comparison to audits and their psychological development continue into their mid 20’s.
What did james and prout argue?
Children are simple and amoral, only concerned with themselves. Adults are complex and moral, with developed moral compasses.
What is the sensible analytical approach?
Different states of development are more likely to be a social construction than others.
Explain the sensible analytical approach.
Infancy- Not a social construction as they are completely dependent on others for survival. This is universal and not impacted by culture.
5-12 age- Could be seen as constructed, as there are differences across cultures.
13+- More than likely a social contraction as it verne’s across culture and historically.
What did Benedict say?
Childhood varies from culture and to culture and within individual cultures.
What did Benedict use to evidence his idea of inter class differences?
Malinowski’s study of the trobriand island.
What did Aries say?
Childhood has changes over time, as we know it now it is a modern construction.
How did aries evidence this?
pre industrial era- children were seen as little adults, and they would work as soon as they were able to.
industrial era- beginning development of child protection laws, children are still able to work.
modern era- childhood seen as a protected time of innocence and dependency
