FAMILY - The 'March of Progress' of Childhood Flashcards
What Theory tend to present the change in the Experience of Childhood since the 19th century to Today as being a ‘March of Progress’? HINT: The same theory / ideology that Wilmott and Young belong too!
Functionalism / Functionalists!
What does Edward Shorter argue? HINT: Modern Industrial Economy
He argued that modern childhood has a ‘functional fit’ with a modern industrial economy!
Explain what Shorter means by ‘Modern Industrial Economy’!
This is where people increasingly need to be more educated and there needs to be lower rates of infant mortality; he saw a clear progression to meet the needs of social change!
Describe the Infant Mortality Rates in the 1990s compared to the 2000s!
1901 = Over 150 deaths per 1000
2014 = Around 3.6 (4) per 1000
A multiplier of around 40x!
Due to low Infant Mortality Rates, what does this mean for the Function of the Family? HINT: Child-focused!
Families become more child-focused!
Family sizes have shrunk and now parents are able to give more attention to each child they have –> This is due to the reduction of Infant Mortality and also the lack of Insurance Children.
As Child Labour was abolished, what were Children expected to do?
They were expected to stay in School!
What did Children become for the Family? HINT: Links to Money!
They became a Financial Burden rather than an asset or a tool to use in regards to work in communal farms (links to the pre-industrial family that was identified by Wilmott and Young)! Therefore, it became the norm for people to have smaller families.
Due to Industrialisation and the reduction of Children in the Workplace, what Attitudes later emerged regarding Children?
People believed that children should be nurtured and protected and guided –> Paternalistic attitudes!
What does Postmodernist Chris Jenkins argue in regarding to Childhood? HINT: Connections with Children and Adults
He argues that adults today focus on their Children and their relationships with their Children because they are seen as being both more dependable and longer-lasting than their adult relationships. This is because there is a focus on Children’s potential, their importance for the future and the nostalgic connection in the future in regards to out ‘Lost Childhoods’!
What can the State now do as a result of the 1989 Children Act and how does this link to the idea of Protecting Children and Paternalism of the State?
The 1989 Children Act = The State can intervene and remove children from unfit parents!
This Law, and other laws too, restrict what children can do (in regards to buying and possessing alcohol and drugs) and also protects their welfare!
What is the Evaluation of the ‘March of Progress’ of Childhood from ‘Child Liberationists’? HINT: Gittins (The ‘Age Patriarchy’) and Hockey + James (The Want to Escape Childhood)
Some Sociologists, who are known as ‘Child Liberationists’, argue that many of these laws actually oppress children.
Gittins = Suggests that adults force children to be dependent on them in order to maintain authority and power over them! –> The ‘Age Patriarchy’
Hockey and James = They point out that children themselves see childhood as an oppressive phase of life and they wish to escape it.
In what areas do Children actually have more rights than Adults? HINT: Links to the UN
The United Nations (the UN) recognises special human rights for Children!
What Sociologist speaks about ‘Toxic Childhood’?
Sue Palmer!
What are the Criticisms of Palmer’s idea of ‘Toxic Childhood’?
- Seen as a ‘first world problem’!
- There is danger at the home for children (abuse) and at school in the past (the cane)
What does Frank Furedi argue? HINT: Paranoid Parenting!
He argues that Childhood today is overtaken and blighted by ‘paranoid parenting’!
He says that the media and policymakers put the blame for all manner of social problems at the door and footsteps of parents - This makes parents worry about ‘doing it wrong’!
Shows like ‘Supernanny’ amplify this fear and trends regarding ‘positive parenting’ –> This leads to parents ‘wrapping their children up in cotton wool’ to protect them, but this leads to their experiences of childhood being diminished and erased!
