Families Topic4- Childhood Flashcards
Unicef definition of childhood summarised
Time for children to be in school and at play, to grow strong and confident with the love and encouragement of their family and extended community of caring adults
- precious time in which children should live free from fear, safe from violence and protected from abuse and exploitation
- childhood means more than just the space between birth and attainment of adulthood
What is a social construct
Something created and defined by society.
How can childhood be seen as a social construct
Sociologists believe childhood is a socially constructed term and idea, which is why it differs historically and culturally
-they believe that childhood is a life stage created purely by society
Wagg (‘92) quote of childhood being a social construct
“Childhood is socially constructed. It is, what members of particular societies, as particular times and in particular places say it is.
There is no single universal childhood experience by all.
So, childhood isn’t “natural” and should be distinguished from mere biological immaturity”
Jane Pilcher (‘95) view on childhood (western societies)
Pilcher notes, the most important modern feature of childhood is separateness- childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage
How is childhood viewed in western societies
Childhood considered physically and psychologically immature and not yet competent to run their own lives, and therefore need a lengthy period of nurturing and socialisation
-seen as the “golden age” - children represent happiness and innocence, and children are seen as vulnerable and require protection
In which society is childhood seen as the golden age
In western societies childhood is seen as the golden age
Ruth Benedict (‘34) on how children are treated differently in different societies
Ruth argues that children in simpler non industrial societies are generally treated differently from their western counter parts in 3 ways
:they take responsibility at an early age
Less value is placed on the children showing obedience to authority
There is less of a distinguishing “line” between kids and adults
Ruth Benedict 3 ways how childhood differs in non industrial societies to western
In non industrial societies children :
take responsibility at an early age
Less value is placed on the children showing obedience to authority
There is less of a distinguishing “line” between kids and adults
The IK of Uganda construct on childhood
They suffer famine (lack of food and resources etc)
View kids as a drain on resources
They think they should be made to fend for themselves asap; can be from as early as the age of 3
Holmes study on childhood (‘74)
Study of a Somoan village found that “too young” was never an excuse for a kid not doing something
Punch(2001) study on childhood
Study of children in rural Bolivia found that once children were about 5 years old, there are expected to take on work responsibilities in the home and community
Philip Aries (‘62) findings on childhood in pre industrial societies
Children did not exist, children were “little adults” past infancy who took part in the same activities as adults
- children were an economic asset, expected to help earn family income
- emotional investment in children was very low, due to the high infant mortality rates
- children were NOT considered innocent, nor protected from exposure to sexual activity
How was childhood view in industrial society
When childhood began to change -church leaders and religion began to see children as vulnerable individuals who needed protecting. Schools began to be introduced, but were NOT available for all - for working class families children were still found working, particularly in factories and mines. Those children were not given the same opportunities as middle class Therefore Aries argues that the perspective of childhood began to change in this period of time for the middle class
Working class children in the industrial society compared to middle/upper
for working class families children were still found working, particularly in factories and mines. Those children were not given the same opportunities as middle class Therefore Aries argues that the perspective of childhood began to change in this period of time for the middle class
How is childhood seen in the current day
“Golden age of childhood”
Children are restricted from working, are protected by child laws and have an innocence and a need to be protected from the dangerous world — this is typically called the western notion of childhood
Jane Pilcher (‘95) most important aspect of childhood in the Morden era
Jane Pilcher notes the most important modern area of childhood is separateness- childhood is seen as a clear and distinct stage of life
5 reasons why changes to childhood happened
- Laws were introduced restricting child labour and excluding them from paid work
- Introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880
- In 1889, the cruelty to children act was introduced
- Declining family size and lower infant mortality rates meant parents made greater financial and emotional investment into their children
- Childrens health and development became public knowledge through research
What year was the cruelty to children act introduced
In 1889, the cruelty to children act was introduced
How does the “introduction of laws restricting child labour and excluding them from paid work” factor impact childhood
Prevents children from working, therefore giving them more time for themselves to be children. More time to socialise, be free from responsibility
How does the “introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880” factor impact childhood
Introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880 meant children could not work and spent time learning and socialising with their peers
How does the “1889 cruelty to children act introduction” factor impact childhood
This act means children are protected from abuse and harm and are still innocent
How does the “ declining family size and lower infant mortality rate leading to increased financial and emotional investment by parents ” factor impact childhood
Means children are more cared for- parents more focused on their children’s quality of life
How does the “childrens health and development became public knowledge through research” factor impact childhood
Lore knowledge on childrens health leads to lower infant mortality rates due to increased research and medical equipment
-children were living longer giving them more time to be children
March of progress view on childhood
Mop view believes that childhood has improved dramatically over the last few centuries, and in the western world it is the best it has ever been
Aries and Shorter (mop view) on childhood in modern days
Children today are more valued, better cared for and educated. They have more rights and health benefits than ever before
Lloyd De Mause (‘74) quote on the history of childhood
The history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken. The further back in history one goes, the lower level of childcare, and the more likely holder are to be killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorised and sexually abused”
Lloyd De Mause (‘74) quote on the history of childhood summarised
Childhood is only now getting better. If you look at history the further you go the worse children were treated.
Ways in which childhood has improved
- growth of specialist services for both children and parents to help ensure the wellbeing of children
- development of specialist toys and literature considered “age appropriate”
- Fall in infant mortality rate
- legislations
- full time education
- legal rights for children
Functionalist view on childhood
View childhood as a crucial process in the modern family. It is when the young person is socialised into being a useful member of society; this involved the child learning the norms and values of their culture. A society become more complex the more time spent completing this process
What perspectives hold the Conflict view on childhood
Marxist and feminist hold the conflict theory on childhood
Conflict theorist (Marxist and feminist) view on childhood change
Conflict theorists believe childhood has NOT improved as much as the March of progress view states. They argue the mop pov is based on false and idealised images that ignore inequalities among children.
They criticise it on 2 grounds:
- There are huge inequalities among children in terms of the opportunities and the risk they face
- Massive inequalities between children and adults are greater than ever
2 grounds on which conflict theorists criticise the mop view on childhood development
- There are huge inequalities among children in terms of the opportunities and the risk they face
- Massive inequalities between children and adults are greater than ever
Hillman (‘93) view on gender differences on children as a reason why childhood hasn’t improved
Boys are more likely to be allowed to cross the road alone than girls
Bonke (‘99) view on gender differences on children as a reason why childhood hasn’t improved (conflict theory)
Young girls help out more with domestic labour around the house than boys
Howard (2001) view on why childhood hasn’t improved (conflict theory: class differences)
Children born into poorer families are more likely to die in infancy or childhood, and more likely to have long standing illnesses and do poorer at school
Brannen (‘94) view on why childhood hasn’t improved (conflict theory: ethnicity differences)
Asian parents more likely to be stricter than other ethnicities
Gittins (‘98) age patriarchy definition (conflict theory)
Gittins used the term age patriarchy to explain inequalities between adults and children. She argues dads rule the lives of children, dominating all areas of the family
Example of Gittins age patriarchy
Humphreys study
Domestic violence could be an example of this age patriarchy. Humphreys et al (2002) found that 25% of 200 women studied left their partners due to fear of child safety
Sue Palmer view on childhood improvement (mop criticism)
Sue Palmer argues that children today are experiencing a “toxic childhood”. She argues that a toxic mix of side affects of technological and cultural changes is having a negative impact on the development of a growing number of children
Palmer 6 ways childhood has become toxic
- Decline in outdoor play- linked to increased childhood obesity
- Commercialisation of childhood- linked to children being exploited by advertisers
- The “schoolification” of early childhood- reduces independence- exams are the focus
- decline of listening, language and communication skills- because of shortened attention span
- screen saturation- reduces face to face interaction
- Tests, targets and education- increases anxiety
Margo and Dixon (2006) report supporting Palmer on how childhood has become toxic
Margo and Dixon (2006) report that UK youth are near the top of the league tables for western countries for highest youth obesity, sh, drugs and alcohol abuse, violence and early sexual experiences
UNICEF (2007) rankings on UK CHILDRENS well-being
UK ranked 21/27 for childrens wellbeing
Postman 4 reasons for why childhood is “disappearing at a dazzling speed”
- children have the same rights as adults
- disappearance of CHILDRENS unsupervised games
- growing similarity of adult and childrens clothing
- children commuting adult crimes ie murder🔪
Criticism of palmers view that childhood is “toxic”
The majority of children do have good lives in the UK, it’s smaller clusters of people in poorer areas of the country that account to these figures. Also whether childhood is “toxic” or “bad” depends on what aspects you look at. The UK has some of the best health care/education
What does postman blame for the disappearance of childhood
Suggests that in the Middle Ages most people were illiterate so there wasn’t this mystery surrounding adulthood as children could access it through speech
Postman argues that childhood emerged along with mass literacy. This was because the printed word created a division between those that could read and those who couldn’t
Postman reasons as to what influenced the disappearance between adults and children worlds
Postman argues now that things like television and the internet blur this separation and that children are
now able to access the ‘adult world’
Criticism of Postman’s reason to what caused the disappearance between children and adult world
He has been criticised for over-emphasising television as a cause for the disgopearance or childhood. whilst ignoring other factors like changes in the law
Opie argument on how childhood isn’t disappearing
However, Opie (1993) argues that childhood is not disappearing. Based on a lifetime of research into children's games, rhymes, and songs she argues there is still strong evidence of a continued existence of separate children's culture. Their findings show children can and do still create their own independent cultures separate from adults
