Childhood & The Family

Question 1

Define ‘childfree’

Answer 1

The choice to not have kids

Question 2

Define ‘creative singlehood’

Answer 2

The choice to remain single

Question 3

Define the fertility rate

Answer 3

The amount of live births per 1000 women aged 15-44

Question 4

Define the birth rate

Answer 4

Amount of live births per 1000 each year

Question 5

Define the infant mortality rate

Answer 5

Number of infants that die before age 1 per 1000 infants born

Question 6

2 reasons as to why there is a decline in birth rate

Answer 6

1) Change in female social status - have more opportunity and choice
2) Children have become economic liabilities (expensive)

Question 7

Define the ‘dependancy ratio’

Answer 7

Ratio comparing the number of people working against those that don’t

Question 8

Outline 1 finding of Aries’ study on childhood

Answer 8

1) Childhood didn’t exist in Middle Ages - paintings portray ‘mini-adults’

Question 9

Outline Musgrove’s idea that the role of children changes with the economy (3)

Answer 9

1) Peasant Economy
- Child seen as mini-adult
- Expected to work at 4
- Expected to marry at 12
- Law courts treated kids as adults

2) 19th Century Economy
- Primary edu = compulsory
- Kids banned from working in hazardous conditions
- Kids seen as weak + needing care

3) 21st Century Economy
- Kids legally in edu until 18
- Childhood being stretched

Question 10

Outline Sue Palmer’s idea of ‘toxic childhoods’ (4)

Answer 10

Increase in;

• learning difficulties
• drug abuse
• teenage pregnancies
• self-harming

Palmer argues this is due to;

• decline in family stability
• lack of sleep + play
• tv’s in bedroom (isolation)
• parents lack caregiving (too busy)

Question 11

Outline Postman’s concept of the ‘sexualisation of children’ (2)

Answer 11

1) Underage sex, underage drinking and teenage pregnancies increased
2) Exposure to adult media blurs the line between adulthood and childhood