Childhood (POST - MODERNIST ‘Disappearance’ Argument) Flashcards
Describe the post-modernist perspective on childhood as a social construct.
Post-modernists believe that childhood is disappearing as technology blurs the boundaries between childhood and adulthood by reducing the information hierarchy.
What evidence does Neil Postman provide regarding the emergence of childhood in relation to print culture?
Neil Postman argues that childhood emerged with print culture as mass literacy became necessary to access society.
How do new information technologies, like television, impact the concept of childhood according to Neil Postman?
New information technologies, such as television, reduce the ‘information hierarchy’ as they do not require special literacy skills to access.
Explain how postmodernists like Neil Postman view the relationship between adult authority and childhood innocence.
Postmodernists argue that adult authority decreases, leading to the removal of childhood innocence and the sharing of norms, values, and behaviors between children and adults.
What does Sue Palmer suggest about the impact of technological and cultural changes on childhood?
Sue Palmer suggests that these changes have created a ‘toxic childhood’ which has negatively affected the physical and emotional health of children.
Describe the factors cited by Palmer (2010) as contributing to unhappy and unhealthy children.
Palmer (2010) mentions the accessibility of social media, junk food, and mass testing.
Explain the findings of PISA research (2018) regarding the UK’s ranking in educational wellbeing among 71 countries.
PISA research (2018) found the UK ranked 68th out of 71 countries, with 66% of children worrying some or all of the time.
Evaluate the perspective of liberal, historical theorists like Mause (1974) and Ariès (1960) on the concept of ‘toxic childhood’.
Liberal theorists argue against a ‘toxic childhood’ and instead propose a positive ‘march of progress’ from a past ‘nightmare childhood’.
Describe the argument made by liberal theorists regarding poor child wellbeing compared to historical conditions.
Liberal theorists argue that poor child wellbeing today is incomparable to past high rates of child mortality, exploitation in child labor, and widespread child abuse.
