Childhood today Flashcards
What is the march of progress view?
Position of children has been improving
We have become more child centred
How has childhood improved?
Better laws
Smaller family sizes
More spent on children (277,000 before 21 years)
Improvements in healthcare
What are weaknesses against the march of progress view?
Conflict theories argue against, society is based on conflicts between different social groups.
Inequalities along children like opportunities and risks they face.
Inequalities between children and adults
What does Palmer argue?
Toxic childhood
Rapid technological and cultural changes in past 25 has damaged children’s development
Eg. junk food, computer games, emphasis on testing in education
What are social factors that contribute to childhood?
Poor mothers are likely to have low birth weight babies which links to delayed development
Children more likely to die in infancy or childhood, shorter in height, fall behind in school etc
How can children be affected if their parents are unskilled manual workers?
over 3x more likely to suffer from hyperactivity
4x more likely to experience conduct disorders
What does Hillman argue?
Boys are more likely to be allowed to cross or cycle on roads use buses and go out after dark unaccompanied.
What did Brannen study and find?
15-16 years olds
Found asian parents were more likely than any other parent to be strict towards their daughters
What did Bhatti find?
Ideas of izzat (family honour) could be a restriction particularly on girls.
What does the March of progress view argue about control of parents?
It is to protect them from external threats and dangers
What does Firestone argue against the march of progress view of parental control?
It is a form of oppression and control.
