Family and Households - Childhood Flashcards
What do sociologists see childhood as?
Something that is socially constructed, created and defined by society
How are children seen in Western societies?
- They are fundamentally different than adults
- Physically and psychologically immature
- Lack skills and knowledge
What evidence is there for children being seen as different from adults in Western societies?
- Laws regulating what they can and cannot do
- Differences in products and services, such as clothing, toys, books
Why is childhood thought of as the ‘golden age’ in Western societies?
It is the time of peak innocence and happiness
What does Stephan Wagg (1992) say about childhood?
- ‘Childhood is socially constructed’
- ‘There is no single universal childhood experienced by all’
- ‘Childhood isn’t ‘natural’ and should be distinguished from mere biological immaturity’
What does Ruth Benedict (1934) say about childhood?
In simpler, non-industrial societies children are treated differently in 3 ways:
1) They take responsibility at an early age
2) Less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority
3) Children’s sexual behaviour is viewed differently
What did Samantha Punch (2001) find?
Once children are around 5 years old in rural Bolivia they are expected to take on work responsibilities in the home and community
What did Lowell Holmes (1974) find?
Studied a Samoan village and found that ‘too young’ was never given as an excuse for not letting a child undertake a particular task
What did Raymond Firth (1970) find?
Among the Tikopia of the western Pacific, doing as you’re told by a grownup is a concession to be granted by the child, not to be expected as an adult
What did Bronislaw Malinowski (1957) find?
Among Trobriand islanders of the south-west Pacific, adults took an attitude of tolerance and amused interest towards children’s sexual explorations and activities
What is an example of child labour?
In the DRC young children are expected to work for 10-12 hours a day looking for minerals with very little pay, hardly enough to afford a meal
Why do some sociologists argue the globalisation of the western childhood is bad?
Different approaches to childhood can be important preparation for that particular society
What was Primark exposed for?
In 2008 it was found that they used child labour in South India, employing children as young as 9 for only 60p per day
What does historian Philippe Aries (1960) argue?
- In the Middle Ages (900-1200 AD) the notion of childhood did not exist
- Children were expected to work from a young age
- They were seen as ‘mini-adults’
What is Aries’ ‘Cult of Childhood’?
Argues that we have moved to a world that is obsessed with childhood and describes the 20th century as the ‘century of the child’
What does Linda Pollock (1983) argue about the Middle Ages?
Argues it is more correct to say in the Middle Ages society simply had a different notion of childhood than today
How did the Church see children?
- The Church saw children as fragile ‘creatures of God’
- This began to be reflected in education
What was The Factory Act 1833?
- Restricted children under 9 from being used for paid work
- Children became dependent on parents
When was compulsory schooling introduced?
1880
When was the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act introduced?
1889
What did Postman (1994) theorise?
The disappearance of Childhood
Why does Postman (1994) say childhood is disappearing?
- Children and adults things are becoming more alike
- With the decline of print culture and the rise of television culture children are exposed to more things that they otherwise would not be able to access
- Television destroys the information hierarchy
What does Opie (1993) argue?
- Childhood isn’t disappearing
- Did lifetime research with her husband into children’s games, rhymes, songs
- Argues that there is a strong existence of separate children’s culture
What is postmodernity?
- Society from 1970s - now
- More diverse, less stable, ever changing
What does Jenks say about postmodernity and childhood?
- As the family is more unstable and divorce is more likely, parents put their focus on their child as they are still a parent even if their relationship doesn’t work out
- This leads to children being more protected by their parents and strengthens the view of children being vulnerable and needing protection
How do March of Progress sociologists view childhood?
We’re entering a child-centered society that’s better for children
(Eg. UN National Convention on the Rights of the Child, Laws around children working, infant mortality rates have improved)
In what ways do sociologists argue that children have become the centre of the family?
- Higher living standards and smaller family sizes mean that parents can afford to provide for their child’s needs more
- They are no longer ‘seen and not heard’ as they were in Victorian times
- Consulted on decisions
- An emotional and financial investment
- Media and leisure activities cater directly to kids
What are some examples of toxic childhood?
- Body image
- 52% of 11-16 year olds often worry about how they look
- Girls are more affected than boys
Why does Sue Palmer suggest we have ‘toxic childhood’?
- Advancements in technology
- Rapidly shifting culture
- Children suffering emotionally, physically, intellectually
- Junk food
- Video games
- Children working long hours
- Increased levels of testing in schools
What is the Conflict view of childhood?
- Supported by Marxists and Feminists
- Argue that there are inequalities between children
- Increasing inequality between children and adults
What does Mayer Hillman (1993) say about gender differences in childhood?
Boys are more likely to be allowed to cross or cycle on roads, use buses, and go out after dark unaccompanied
What does Jens Bonke (1999) say about gender differences in childhood?
Girls do more domestic labour, especially in lone parent families where they do 5x more than boys
What does Julia Brannen (1994) say about ethnicity differences in childhood?
A study of 15-16 year olds found that Asian parents were more likely to be strict towards their daughters rather than their sons
What does Ghazala Bhati (1999) say about ethnicity differences in childhood?
Ideas of izzat (family honour) could be a restriction, particularly on the behaviour of girls
What are babies of poor mothers more likely to have?
A low birth-weight, which is linked to delayed physical and intellectual development
What are children of unskilled manual workers more likely to have?
- Over 3x more likely to suffer from hyperactivity
- 4x more likely to experience conduct disorders
What are children born into poor families more likely to be like?
- Die in infancy or childhood
- Suffer longstanding illness
- Shorter in height
- Fall behind in school
- Not be placed on the child protection register
What do Firestone and Holt argue about protection?
Protection over children is actually a form of oppression and control
What are some examples of control over children’s space?
- Forbidden to play in some areas
- Close surveillance of them in public spaces
- Fears of road safety and stranger danger lead more children to be driven to school
Examples of control over children’s time
- Adults control when they eat, sleep, play, go to school
- Adults define when they are old enough to do certain things
Examples of control over children’s bodies
- Control over their clothing, hairstyles, piercings
- Being told not to suck their thumb or play with their genitals
Examples of control over access to resources
- Limited opportunities to earn money
- Compulsory schooling excludes children from well-paying jobs
- Pocket money may depend upon good behaviour and there may be restrictions on what it can be spent on
What is Diana Gittins’ (1998) Age Patriarchy
Men oppress women and children
What did Humphreys and Thiara’s (2002) study show?
- 1/4 of women left abusive relationships because they feared for their children’s lives
What is acting up?
Children acting more mature, resisting against the boundaries put on children
(Smoking, drinking)
What is acting down?
Children acting younger than their age
(Throwing a tantrum)
Criticisms of Firestone and Holt
- Children need to be protected to safeguard them against exploitation
- Children are no longer powerless, for example the 1989 children’s act and the UNCRC have given children legal powers
How does the ‘new sociology of childhood’ look at things?
From a child’s perspective
What do Mason and Tipper (2008) say about children?
They create their own definitions of family, even including people who aren’t related
What does Smart (2001) say about divorce?
Children are far from passive in parental divorce and were actively trying to make the situation better for everyone
What does Smart say about childhoods?
There are many different types of childhoods based on a child’s experiences and actions, it is diverse
