Children and Childhood - 2.4 Flashcards
How is Childhood socially constructed?
defined and created by society, what constitutes as childhood varies historically and across diff societies.
What is the Modern Western notion of childhood?
> Seen as golden age of innocence or happiness.
> Children are fundamentally different from adults
> Vulnerable and psychologically immature
> Lengthy protected period of nurturing and socialisation
Childhood as a Social Construct Key Sociologists
Childhood as a Social Construct Key Sociologists
> Pilcher (Separateness)
> Cunningham (View of Kids)
> Wagg (Separate Age Status)
Cross Cultural Differences in Childhood Key Sociologists
> Punch (Cross-Cultural Differences in Childhood) - Bolivia
> Firth (Cross-Cultural Differences in Childhood) - Tikopia
> Malinowski (Cross-Cultural Differences in Childhood) - Trobriand
Historical Differences in Childhood Key Sociologists
> Aries (Historical Differences in Childhood)
> Shorter (Parental Attitudes 2 Kids in Middle Ages)
Childhood in Modernity Key Sociologists
> Aries (Modern Notion of Childhood)
> Postman (Disappearance of Childhood)
> Jenks (Childhood in Postmodernity)
What is Pilcher outlook on Childhood?
> Distinct life stage & key feature of childhood is separateness.
What is Cunnnigham’s outlook on Childhood?
Kids seen as opposite of adults, with right to happiness.
How is the separateness between child and adult emphasised?
> Laws regulating what children are allowed, required or forbidden to do.
> Differences of dress
> Products & services specially for kids, e.g. toys, food, books, entertainments, play areas etc.
What does this childhood vulnerability mean for the children?
Vulnerability means kids are in need of protection from dangers of adult world - must be ‘quarantined’ and separated from it.
Where are kids lives lived?
In sphere of family & education - adults provide for them & protect them from outside world
What is the difference between the life a child leads and the life an adult leads?
> Kids lead lives of leisure and play and excluded from paid work.
> Kids defined as vulnerable and unable to fend for themselves, but other cultures don’t see a big difference between children and adults.
What is Wagg’s view on the Modern Western outlook on Childhood?
> Seperate age status not found in all societies - not universal.
> Childhood isn’t ‘natural’ & should be distinguished from biological immaturity.’
Briefly outline 3 Cross-Cultural Differences in Childhood
- They take responsibility earlier - (Punch)
- Less value is placed on obedience to adult authority. - (Firth)
- Children’s sexual behaviours viewed differently - (Malinowski)
Punch’s findings on Children in Bolivia in relation to how they take responsibility at an early age?
In Bolivia once children are 5 they’re expected to take work responsibilities in home & community - without question/hesitation.
Firth’s findings on how Less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority - In Tikopia
In Tikopia listening to a grown-up, seen as concession to be granted by child, not to be expected by adult.
Malinowski’s findings on how kids sexual behaviour is viewed differently - Troiband
In Trobriand - adults had a ‘tolerance and amused interest’ to children’s sexual explorations and activities.
What do sociologists argue about the Globalisation of Western Childhood?
> Sociologists argue we’re trying to impose western notions of childhood incl. separateness, vulnerability, protection, no economic role on the world.
> e.g. Campaigns stopping child labour, hold little impact on position of children in developing countries
> Some cultures may be ‘preparing’ kids for adult life.
What were Aries findings on the historical differences in Childhood?
> During middle ages childhood didn’t exist, children weren’t seen as diff from adults, it’s a recent invention
> Through Aries study of artwork, kids were depicted as ‘mini-adults’ w/ same rights, duties and skills as adults and work began from early age.
> Law made no distinction vs kids & adults, kids faced same punishments as adults.
How does Shorter outline Parental Attitudes towards kids in Middle Ages different from those today?
- High DR encouraged neglect specially towards infants
- e.g. common for parents to give newborns name of recently dead sibling + forget how many kids they had.
Explain Aries idea on how Childhood emerged from 13th Century in 3 ways?
> Schools: Before they were only for adults but then tailored to children.
> Church: Saw kids as fragile ‘creatures of God’ in need of protection from worldly evils.
> Clothing: By 17th century, there was a growing distinction vs children’s & adults clothing, setting kids apart from adults.
What is Aries view on Childhood today?
> Argues we’ve become obsessed w/ childhood
> Describes 20th century as ‘’century of child’’
A03 Childhood as a Social Construct
> Pollock (Aries)
> Opie (Postman)
How does Pollock criticise Aries view?
Society simply had a different notion of childhood rather than not existing.
Briefly Outline 3 Reasons for Changes in the Position of Children
> Laws banning Child Labour
> Compulsory Schooling
> Child Protection and Welfare Laws
Explain Laws Banning Child Labour in relation to the reasons changes in the position of children
Kids no longer economic assets, but economic liabilities, dependent on parents.
Explain Child Protection and Welfare Laws and agencies in relation to the reasons changes in the position of children
Emphasised kids vulnerability, making their welfare a central concern.
