Families - childhood

Question 1

Childhood is seen as a social construct, what does this mean?

Answer 1

It is something that is created and defined by society

Question 2

How are children viewed in the western notion of childhood?

Answer 2

They are regarded as physically and psychologically immature and not yet competent to run their own lives and therefore this belief that children lack skills, knowledge and experience means that they need a long protected period of nurturing and socialisation before they enter the adult world