Childhood : Is Childhood Disappearing ?

Question 1

What does pilcher and other sociologists say about childhood ?

Answer 1

Childhood is a period of “seperateness “ distinct from adult life

Question 2

What does postman say about childhood ?

Answer 2

Argued that childhood is disappearing and that children were becoming more like adults in contemporary society

Question 3

What are the 5 main reasons behind disappearing childhood ?

Answer 3

1. Childrens mental health
2. Social class differences in childhood experience
3. Control over children
4. Sexualisation of childhood
5. Toxic childhood

Question 4

How has childrens mental health caused childhood to disappear ? ( 2 points ) ( Womack)

Answer 4

1. Womack - children in the Uk are amongst the unhappiest in the developed world
2. Childrens society - 1 in 10 children have a diagnosed mental health condition in Uk in 2018

Question 5

How have social class differences in the childhood experience cause childhood to disappear ? ( 2 points )

Answer 5

1. 4.2 million children living in poverty in 2018-2019 according to the child poverty action group
2. Over 300000 people aged under 24 provide unpaid care to relatives ,2011

Question 6

How has control over children cause childhood to disappear ? ( Gillens and hood Williams )

Answer 6

1. Gillens and hood Williams - children are subject to controls under age patriarchy

Question 7

How has the sexualisation of the childhood caused childhood to disappear ? ( 2 points )

Answer 7

1. Decrease in the average age of first sexual intercourse

2. Adult themes in childrens clothing

Question 8

How has toxic childhood cause childhood to disappear ? ( palmer )

Answer 8

1. Palmer states that many children are now suffering from toxic childhood syndrome - all these things have increased mental health conditions and anti - social behaviours

Question 9

Evaluation on if childhood is disappearing

Answer 9

Childhood is still based upon class , gender and ethnicity