FAMILY: childhood Flashcards
How do sociologists perceive childhood?
It is socially constructed.
It is created and defined by society.
The difference in infant mortality rate in 1911 and 2010
1911: 130/1000 children died before their 1st birthday
2010: 8/1000 children died before their 1st birthday
What issues have the government started to focus on concerning negative aspects of parenting?
Latchkey kids
Childhood obesity
Binge drinking
What did Pilcher identify as the most important aspect of modern childhood?
Separateness
Childhood is seen as a clear distinctive life stage.
What do cultural variations concerning childhood suggest?
It is socially constructed as it is different in every culture.
Give 7 ideas about how society separates childhood from adulthood
1) Pediatricians
2) Clothing
3) Children’s food
4) Laws regulating children’s behavior
5) Laws preventing children from doing certain things
6) Laws protecting the physical/sexual safety of children
7) Children’s entertainment
Give an example of legislation that regulate children’s behavior
Children must remain in education until 18
Which study shows cultural variations revolving around the idea of childhood?
Children in rural Bolivia are expected to take on work responsibilities from the age of 5. These tasks are taken on without hesitation.
In what way did Aries suggest childhood is socially constructed?
It has changed over time.
In the past: Children worked from whenever they were able to.
After industrialisation these attitudes continued especially amongst the working class. However, middle class attitudes began to change during this period. Education became more valid.
Mid 19th century: Attitudes began to change. Legislation began to protect children in the workplace.
All children have to go to school aged 5-12.
What do Aries & Shorter believe about the position of childhood today?
Childhood has been steadily improving and today it is better than ever.
What is meant by ‘child-centredness’
Our lives are now built around children.
Society places importance on the idea that children have to be protected, loved, cared, nurtured and protected from the adult world.
In ways could the idea that childhood has made progress be criticised?
Feminists & Marxists may argue:
There are inequalities among children in terms of the opportunities and risks they face.
Give an example of a study that shows gender inequality among children
Hillman
Whilst growing up boys are allowed more freedom than girls.
The media coverage encourages protective parenting.
In what ways may a child from a poorer background be disadvantaged? Which study supports this?
Howard found children who are born into poor families are also more likely to die in infancy or childhood for factors including:
Poor diet
Poor housing
Lack of hygiene
What did Sue Palmer mean by ‘Toxic childhood’?
side-effects of cultural change are toxic, affecting the development of a growing number of children.
