Reasons for changes in the position of children

Question 1

What did laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work mean that children became?

Answer 1

• an economic liability (financially dependent)

Question 2

What was introduced that caused the children of the poor to become more financially dependent?

Answer 2

Compulsory schooling

Question 3

What extended the period of dependency?

Answer 3

Raising of the school leaving age

Question 4

Give an example of child protection and welfare legislation (acts are in flashcards)

Answer 4

Children Act and Rights of the Child

Question 5

What encourages parents to make greater financial and emotional investment in the fewer children they have?

Answer 5

• declining family size and lower infant mortality rates

Question 6

What have children’s development become the subject of and what has this resulted in?

Answer 6

• medical knowledge - theories of child development emphasised that children need supervision and protection

Question 7

Give a couple of examples that demonstrate laws and policies that apply specifically to children and how this reinforces the idea that children are different from adults

Answer 7

• minimum ages for activities (ie. sex, smoking) - this reinforces idea that children are different from adults and so different rules must be applied to their behaviour

Question 8

How do sociologists relate industrialisation to changes in the position of children?

Answer 8

• industry provides higher standards of living and better welfare which results in lower infant mortality rates
• making industrialisation a key factor in developing the modern culture of childhood and the changed status of children