Childhood : Inequality The future of childhood The 'new sociology' Flashcards
Inequalities between children and adults
March of progress sociologists argue adults use their power to protect children
Conflict sociologists argue this power is used to oppress children
Protection is therefore a form of oppression
Shulamith Firestone say :
Child labour laws (Keeping children from working and earning) actually segregate children Keep them dependent Keep them subject to adult control
Ways in which adults control children space
Childrens movements are limited :
- No schoolchildren signs in newsagents
- Use of CCTV in public spaces where children congregate
- Police power of dispersal and curfew
- Road safety
- Stranger danger
- Children now shepherded to and from school
Children liberty is curtailed
Ways in which adults control children bodies
- Sit run walk Hair style Ear piercing Tattoos
- Monopoly on Touching Washing Eating Dressing
- Heads patted Hair stroked Hands held Picked up Cuddled Kissed
- Physical discipline
- Nose picking Thumb sucking Nail biting Masturbation Sexual relations
Ways in which adults control children time
- Adults control children daily routines
- Adults control children speed of growing up
Ways in which adults control children access to resources
- Limited ability to earn money Dependent on adults
- Labour laws
- Compulsory schooling
- Child benefit goes to mother/parents
- EMA cut in favour of reduced LSF
- Pocket money Controlled Restrictions on how much and what it can be spent on How it is earned
Ways in which adults control children neglect and abuse
Tens of thousands of children Physically Sexually Psychologically Emotionally abused by adults every year This is the dark side of family life
The future of childhood
Children are gaining more and more power in terms of rights This leads to a break down of the distinction or difference between childhood and adulthood
Sociologists ask Is childhood in western society disappearing?
The disappearance of childhood
Neil Postman 1994 say :
Argues ‘childhood is disappearing at a dazzling speed’ -
Children have same rights as adults
Similarities in clothing
Children committing ‘adult’ crimes
Children left unsupervised
The emergence of childhood Due to the rise of print culture - The invention of the printing press meant that adults could hide adult ideas from small children using books As small children could not read Children were able to enjoy innocence
The disappearance of childhood Due to the fall of print culture and its replacement by television culture - Now even young children who cannot read can access adult ideas by listening to and watching the TV
The ‘new sociology’ of childhood
Views examined so far see childhood as socially constructed
Mayall 2004 say :
These views take an ‘adultist’ perspective Where we see children as passive ‘socialisation projects’
The ‘new sociology’ seeks to see children as active agents in their own lives Rather than just adults in waiting
Smart 2011 say :
Sociologists need to consider the views and experiences of children
Mason and Tipper 2008 say :
Found in their research that children define family differently They didn’t conform to ‘adult’ ideas They saw pets or close friends as family
Smart et al 2001 say :
Children were not passive in divorce situations Actively try to help
When working with children :
Best to use open-ended questions Informal, unstructured interviews - Allows children to express themselves Helps sociologists to understand the ‘plurality’ of childhoods that exist Helps to draw attention to relative powerlessness of children
