LT1 Childhood Flashcards
Definition of socially constructed in terms of childhood?
If is something created and defined by society. Thus, childhood is not fixed and universal but relative to the time, place and culture
Examples of cross culture differences ?
1) 3 year olds cast out to fend for themselves in the culture of the IK in Northern Uganda
2) children take responsibility at an early age like in rural Bolivia children work at home and in the community from the age of 5
3) less value placed on children being obedient among the Tikopia of the western Pacific
What where the Historical differences of childhood in the 10th to 13th centuries? (3)
Aries (1960) claims childhood dos not exist
Same laws and punishments applied for children and adults
Children dressed the same as adults
What was the reason for the changes in the position of childhood in the 19th and 20th century?
Industrialisation the position/status of childhood improved
What where the legal reasons for the changes of the position of children in the 19th and 20th centuries ?
Child labour laws-excluded children from paid work
Minimum age laws-reinforcing that children are separate from adults
Child protection laws-1989 Children act made welfare of children key to social services
What are the reasons for the disappearance of the position of childhood in the 20th and 21st centuries?
1) childhood is shortening cause of increase in ‘toxic childhood’ e.g. Under age sex, exposure to violent media
2) impact of mass media - access to the same info as adults - TVs and Internet
What does the March of progress view believe about the position/status of children ?
It has improved
How has the The position of children has improved ?
1) more child centred
2) media and leisure activities cater to children
3) better educated
4) lower infant mortality
What are the inequalities between children that show the position/status of children has not improved ?
- Class Differences (Marxists)
- International Differences
- gender differences
- ethnic differences
What does the Western notion of childhood mean?
It’s when childhood is seen as a separate and happy period from adulthood
Children are innocent, no responsibilities, vulnerable and need protecting
What inequalities lay between children within societies?
Class, gender and ethnicity e.g WC children perform less well at school, parents are more likely to divorce or have health problems
What inequalities are there between children and adults?
The experience of childhood is shaped by adults e.g. Adults restrict spaces and time children can play
What are the inequities between children and adults that mean that the position/status of children has not improved ?
• Firestone (1979) claims adults use their power to dominate and control children (age patriarchy)
e.g. Imposing restrictions on space and movement
- adults control children’s bodies
- Ex - some children experience the ‘dark side’ - neglect and abuse
The position/status of children in the future has disappeared, how?
Postman (1994) suggest its shortening for example
- disappearance of children’s unsupervised games
- similarities of adults and children clothing
- adults crimes eg knife and gun crime
Reasons for disappearance of childhood in the future ?
- technology and media eroded the boundary
- tv and Internet allow children to access adults knowledge and grow to quickly
- Ex - Palmer (2010) ‘toxic childhood’
