Childhood: lesson 43&44

Question 1

Define social construction

Answer 1

A social phenomenon which is not naturally occurring but created by society and varies culture to culture

Question 2

Give 3 arguments for childhood is a social construction

Answer 2

• it varies from culture to culture
• laws separate childhood from adulthood
• historical evidence

Question 3

Give 3 arguments against childhood being a social construct

Answer 3

• childhood is a biological life stage
• children are immature
• psychological differences

Question 4

In what ways are children different from adults?

Answer 4

• physically
• psychologically
• economically
• maturity

Question 5

At what age can you work, have sex, drive and drink?

Answer 5

• work= 14
• sex= 16
• drive = 17
• drink = 18

Question 6

What does Pilcher believe about childhood?

Answer 6

• ‘ separateness’: childhood is a separate stage of life
• books and toys aimed at children
• ‘golden age’ of happiness
• children are vulnerable and need protection

Question 7

What are culture differences regarding childhood?

Answer 7

• children are used as economic assets
• used as child soldiers
• child brides

Question 8

What are historical differences?

Answer 8

• childhood didn’t exist prior to 13th century
• historical paintings children dressed like adults
• law didn’t differentiate

Question 9

How was childhood created?

Answer 9

• 13th century churches opened schools
• 17th century distinction made between children and adults
• 18th century childcare books released

Question 10

Has western childhood been globalised?

Answer 10

• humanitarian work imposes its views
• campaigns against child labour
• campaign against child brides

Question 11

What are the reasons for the changing of children’s positions?

Answer 11

• laws preventing children from working
• child protection laws
• medical improvements

Question 12

What two views debate whether childhood changes are positive or negative?

Answer 12

• march of progress view
• conflict view

Question 13

What does the march if progress view believe?

Answer 13

• change has been positive
• children better protected
• decline in infant mortality rate

Question 14

What does the conflict view believe?

Answer 14

• MoP is idealistic and ignores, inequalities among children and inequality among children and adults

Question 15

What are the inequalities among children?

Answer 15

• social class = different life experiences
• different quality of life in different countries
• Asian parents more strict to daughter

Question 16

What are the inequalities among children and adults?

Answer 16

• power dynamic
• Firestone sees restrictions as oppressive towards children
• control over; space ,time, bodies, access to resources

Question 17

How is children’s space controlled?

Answer 17

• movement of children is regulated
• road safety

Question 18

How is children’s time controlled?

Answer 18

• adults dictate routine and schedule
• dictate speed which child grows up

Question 19

How are children’s bodies controlled?

Answer 19

• dress codes
• rules regarding touch of children
• dictate how children touch themselves

Question 20

How are children’s access to resources controlled?

Answer 20

• economically dependant
• benefits for child to to parents

Question 21

What is the age patriarchy?

Answer 21

Gittins concept that says children are oppressed by adults and trapped in a power dynamic