Is Childhood A Social Construction?

Question 1

Not Really

Answer 1

Sensible analytical
Dependence of infants not socially constructed
5-12, social construction more plausible
13+, social consturction makes more sense

Question 2

Appears Not To Be

Answer 2

Pilcher
James and Prout

Question 3

Appears Not To Be

Pilcher

Answer 3

Social separation
Physical immaturity
Psychological immaturity

Question 4

Appears Not To Be

James and Prout

Answer 4

Dominate framework
Adults see complexity in situations, such as moral decisions
Children see black and white

Question 5

Yes It Is

Answer 5

Historically Relative - Aries, Postmodernism
Culturally Relative - Wagg, Benedict, Punch, Milinowski, Firth, Holmes

Question 6

Yes It Is- Historical

Aries

Answer 6

Pre-industrial, childhood didn’t exist
Industrial, children economic assets
Evaluation - Pollock, methodology poor (paintings/art), class specific

Question 7

Yes It Is - Cultural

Wagg

Answer 7

Childhood separate from biological immaturity
No universal definition

Question 8

Yes It Is - Cultural

Benedict

Answer 8

Non-industrial societies treat children differently
Responsibility at early age, less importance in obediance, sexual behaviour viewed differently

Question 9

Yes It Is - Cultural

Punch

Answer 9

Rural Bolivia
Children take adult responsibilties at 5

Question 10

Yes It Is - Cultural

Milinowski

Answer 10

Trobriand
Islanders took tolerant + interested attitudes to sexual exploration of children

Question 11

Yes It Is - Cultural

Firth

Answer 11

Tikopia tribe in Western Pacific
Doing what you are told is a decision for the child, not expected by an adult

Question 12

Yes It Is - Cultural

Holmes

Answer 12

Samoan village
Children never ‘too young’ to complete a task