childhood is a social construct

Question 1

Pilcher (1995): Separateness

Answer 1

Pilcher notes the most important feature of the modern western idea of childhood is separateness. Childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage, in which children occupy a different status from adults. Children are physically and psychologically weaker than adults.
Childhood is seen as a ‘golden age’ of happiness and innocence. This innocence means that children are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection.
As a result, children’s lives are lived in the sphere of the family and education, where adults provide for them and protect them. Unlike adults they lead lives of leisure and play and are excluded from paid work.

Question 2

evidence to support separateness:

Answer 2

Laws regulating what children are allowed to do i.e. smoking, having sex, gambling etc.
Different clothes for adults and children – especially for younger children.
Different products and services aimed at children i.e. food, entertainment, play areas etc.
James and Prout - children are simple and amoral – they see the world in black and white and focus on their own needs. Whereas adults are complex and moral and have the ability to make difficult decisions.

Question 3

James and Prout:

Answer 3

children are simple and amoral – they see the world in black and white and focus on their own needs. Whereas adults are complex and moral and have the ability to make difficult decisions.

Question 4

what is the dominant framework in the modern notion of childhood:

Answer 4

Children are opposites of adults, lacking the key attribute of being a person.
Children are not seen in their own right, but in terms of what they will become later.
Children are regarded as the primitive stage of development.

Question 5

Wagg (1992)

Answer 5

argues that childhood is socially constructed!
Whilst all humans go through the same stages of physical development, different cultures construct or define this process differently.

Question 6

cultural relativity:

Answer 6

Experiences of childhood will differ between cultures and within cultures.

Question 7

Benedict (1934)

Answer 7

argues that children in non-industrial societies are treated differently.
1. They take responsibility at an early age

2. Less value is placed on children being obedient to adults
3. Children’s sexual behaviour is viewed differently

Question 8

Malinowski (1957)

Answer 8

found that among the island of Trobriand adults tolerated children’s sexual exploration and found it amusing.

Question 9

Punch (2001)

Answer 9

studied children in rural Bolivia where children from the age of 5 were expected to take work responsibilities for their family and community.

Question 10

Holmes’ (1974)

Answer 10

found that in a Samoan village being ‘too young’ was never a reason for excusing a child from a particular task, even with that task being dangerous. If the child said they could do it, then the parent would not object.
In the IK tribe suffered famine, children were seen as a drain on resources. Children were made to fend for themselves from the age of 3.

Question 11

Firth (1970)

Answer 11

found that among the island of Tikopia obedience to adults was optional rather than expected.

Question 12

children take responsibility at early age:

Answer 12

Punch (2001) studied children in rural Bolivia where children from the age of 5 were expected to take work responsibilities for their family and community.
Holmes’ (1974) found that in a Samoan village being ‘too young’ was never a reason for excusing a child from a particular task, even with that task being dangerous. If the child said they could do it, then the parent would not object.
In the IK tribe suffered famine, children were seen as a drain on resources. Children were made to fend for themselves from the age of 3.

Question 13

Children’s sexual behaviour is viewed differently

Answer 13

Malinowski (1957) found that among the island of Trobriand adults tolerated children’s sexual exploration and found it amusing.

Question 14

Less value is placed on children being obedient to adults

Answer 14

Firth (1970) found that among the island of Tikopia obedience to adults was optional rather than expected.

Question 15

The globalisation of western childhood

Answer 15

International humanitarian and welfare agencies impose western norms of what childhood should be – a separate life stage, based in the nuclear family and school, in which children are innocent, dependent, vulnerable and have no economic role.

Question 16

Aries

Answer 16

Experiences of childhood will differ over time

Question 17

childhood in pre- industrial era

Answer 17

Childhood as we know it didn’t exist from the 10th-13th century.
Children were mini adults
Economic assets – they went to work.
No separate toys or games

Question 18

childhood in industrial era

Answer 18

17TH century
Economic Assets - children started to work from around the age of 7.

Same legal punishments as adults.

Little difference in culture.

Question 19

childhood now

Answer 19

Special and unique time in life shaped by:
Innocence
Need to be protected

Separate culture to adults

Dependency on adults and family.

Question 19

what did Aries find about the modern cult in childhood (child obsessed)

Answer 19

Elements of the modern notion of childhood began to emerge in the 13th century:

Schools specialised in education purely for the young. This was influenced by the church which increasingly saw children as fragile ‘creatures of God’.

In the 17th century there was growing distinction between adult and children’s clothing. Upper class boys would be given a special outfit for a boy of their age.

In the 18th century handbooks on child rearing were widely available and a sign of good parenting amongst the middle class.
In the 18th century handbooks on child rearing were widely available and a sign of good parenting amongst the middle class.

Question 19

OBSESSED with children - Aries

Answer 19

These developments accumulate to a modern cult of childhood.

In the 20th century we are OBSESSED with childhood. Society has become child-centred.

Question 20

supporting evidence for Aries historical relativity:

Answer 20

Shorter: Children in 19th Century treated with indifference due to high infant mortality rate.
Historians agree with Aries view of childhood in pre-industrial era.
Provides evidence for how childhood is socially constructed

Question 21

criticisms of Aries historical relativity:

Answer 21

Methodology – he used paintings!
Findings are class specific.
Pollock (1983) argues that in the middle ages (10-13th century) childhood did exists BUT it was simply just different.

Question 22

why have there been changes in childhood?

Answer 22

Laws restricting child labour

Introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880

Child protection and welfare legalisations

Children’s rights

Declining family size

Children’s development becomes the subject of medical knowledge

Laws and policies specifically for children.