Childhood Has Improved Flashcards
What two points can you make about childhood improving?
March of progress view
Child centred families
March of progress view
The March of progress view argues that over the past few centuries the position of children in western societies has been improving and today is better than it ever has been.
It is argued that today’s children are more valued and better cared for , protected and educated than those of previous generations
For example, children are protected from harm and exploitation by laws against child abuse and child labour
With parents investing a great deal in their children emotionally as well as financially
Child centred families
Families today are much smaller. This means that parents can afford to provide their children’s needs properly
In the March of progressive view Children are no longer to be seen and not heard as in Victorian times.
They are the focal point of the family. Parents often have high aspirations for the children and want them to have more opportunities than they had themselves
Society as a whole is now child centred, for example much more media output and many leisure activities are designed for for children
