Key Studies: Childhood

Question 1

Aries (1960)

Answer 1

Aries (1960): Looks at childhood from a historical perspective, from the 10-13t C children were not seen as separate, from the middle ages childhood became a separate life stage.

Question 2

Punch (2001)

Answer 2

Punch (2001): Study showed that in non-industrial societies children took responsibility at a much earlier age

Question 3

Shorter (1975)

Answer 3

Shorter (1975): High infant mortality meant that people were often indifferent towards children in the past.

Question 4

Bhatti (1999)

Answer 4

Bhatti (1999): Izzat (family honour) can place restrictions on girls from Asian families.

Question 5

Postman (1994)

Answer 5

Postman (1994): Disappearance of childhood is occurring due to the lines between adults and children becoming less clear largely due to the consumption of mass media.

Question 6

Palmer (2006)

Answer 6

Palmer (2006): Toxic childhood - technological advances have damaged children’s development. Changes that have been most apparent are; accessibility of junk food, intensive marketing to children, access to computer games and growing working hours of parents.

Question 7

Margo and Dixon (2006)

Answer 7

Margo and Dixon (2006): The UK has high rates of; obesity, smoking, drinking and drug taking among children.