Childhood : Cultural differences History of childhood The changing position of childhood Flashcards
Childhood : Cultural differences History of childhood The changing position of childhood
Modern western notion of childhood
Children are fundamentally different from adults They are physically and psychologically mature They lack skills and experience
Modern western notion of childhood : Jane Pilcher
Jane Pilcher study 1995 :
Says there is a distinct separateness of childhood It is a ‘life stage’ This ‘differentness’ is emphasised in west - Different laws for adults and children, different clothes, different entertainment Etc.
Childhood is seen as ‘golden age of innocence’
Modern western notion of childhood : Stephen Wagg
Stephen Wagg study 1992 :
Say childhood is actually socially constructed It is not a universal concept
Cultural differences Childhood
Examples of cultural different childhoods
Samantha Punch study 2001 :
Children in Bolivia 5 years old Take work responsibilities in the home and local community without hesitation
Lowell Holmes study 1974 :
Children in Samoa No concept of ‘too young’ Children use dangerous tools and carry heavy loads If children think they can do it parents let them
Raymond Firth study 1970 :
Children in Tikopia of the Western Pacific Do not automatically do as adults tell them The child decides whether or not to listen to elders
Bronislaw Malinowski study 1957 :
Adults of Trobriand Islanders of the South-West Pacific Do not view sexual activities of young people and children with disdain Instead tolerate their experimentation
Historical differences Childhood
Philippe Aries study 1960 :
Argues in the Middle Ages (10th to 13th centuries) childhood actually did not exist Children were not seen as having a different nature or different needs from adults Children were ‘mini-adults’ with same rights, duties, skills as adults Children often had to face same punishment as adults if they broke the law
Aries uses works of art from 10th century to 13th century to come to conclusions about childhood in the past Aries points out that paintings show children as miniature adults He states there are no characteristics of childhood shown Adults and children dress the same, play, and work together Parental attitudes to children were also different in the Middle Ages
But there may be some problems using evidence such as paintings and diaries to understand childhood or family life in the past
Aries say elements of the modern notion of childhood started to emerge from 13th century onwards :
Schools started to specialise in educating the young
Clothing became separate for adults and children
Child-centredness started to occur Handbooks on child-rearing became available for parents
According to Aries These developments culminate in the modern ‘cult of childhood’ He argues we have moved from a world where childhood was not seen as special at all To a world obsessed with childhood
Linda Pollock criticism of Aries
Linda Pollock study 1983 :
Criticise Aries Say it is more correct to say that in Middle Ages society actually simply had a different view of childhood Maybe due to harsher living conditions children had to grow up quicker to be a financial help to their families
Reasons for changes in position of children
Ideas about children and their social status has varied over time There are many reasons for these variations These include changes in the 19th and 20th centuries such as :
- Declining family size Parents have more money and time to spend on less children
- Childrens rights Children did not always have rights Now children have rights to a happy safe life E.g. Child protection laws
- Compulsory schooling School was not always compulsory The compulsory age that a child has to stay in education until has also risen
- Childrens health There are now dedicated doctors (paediatricians) for childrens health It is protected
- Child protection There are specific child protection units E.g. In the police Keeping children safe is a priority
- Laws and policies Child protection
- Lower infant mortality rates When many babies were dying before the age of 1, their parents were having more children almost to replace these babies This links to declining family size
- Child labour laws Children are now not allowed to work Until the age of around 14/15 and even then their hours are limited until they are an adult
Has position of children improved March of progress view
The position of children in Western societies has been steadily improving over time Todays children are
More valued
Better cared for
Protected
Educated
than ever before This is due to
Legislation
Role of specialists (paediatricians and professional teachers)
Increased government spending on children
Cost of raising a child
Child-centred family and society
Has position of children improved Conflict view
Society is based on conflict between - Classes Social groups Genders
Some groups are empowered Others underpowered Children are underpowered they are controlled by their parents
They do not have the money, knowledge, skills to have power Powerful groups dominate powerless groups
Conflict view Vs march of progress view
Conflict view would say march of progress view is idealised False Ignores inequalities E.g. If you are a black female W/c child your experiences will be very different to a white male M/c child
Inequalities among children
Not all children have the same life experiences or opportunities Children are not all equal Because of differences in
Nationality - Where you are born will affect your life experience E.g. UK vs War-torn country childhood
Gender - Little boys and little girls are socialised differently Little boys socialised to be in control
Ethnicity - Little girls from Asian families are expected to obey their parents and be submissive Little boys from Asian families are expected to study hard and excel at school
Class - W/c childhood Vs M/U/c childhood
