Reasons For Changes In The Position Of Children

Question 1

What changes has influenced the changes of children position?

Answer 1

• Laws
• Compulsory Schooling
• Child protection and Welfare Legislation
• The Growth of the idea of children’s rights
• Declining family rates and lower infant mortality rates
• Industrialisation

Question 2

How has laws changed children’s position?

Answer 2

• laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work
• From being an economic asset who could earn a wage, children have now become an economic liability, financially dependent on their parents
• mimimum ages for activities e.g. sex, smoking have reinforced children are different to adults so different rules apply

Question 3

How has compulsory schooling changed children’s position?

Answer 3

• they have to be in education which means they are dependent on their parents economically

Question 4

How has Child protection and welfare legislation changed children’s position?

Answer 4

• 1889 Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act

- 1989 Children’s Act made the welfare of children a fundamental principle

Question 5

How has the growth in ideas of children’s rights changed the position of children?

Answer 5

-The Children Act defines parents as having ‘responsibilities’ rather than ‘rights’ in relation to children

Question 6

How has the declining family size and lower infant mortality rate changed the position of children?

Answer 6

• it encourages parents to make a greater financial and emotional investment in the fewer children they have

Question 7

How has industrialisation changed the position of children?

Answer 7

• modern industry needs an educated workforce and this requires compulsory schooling of children
• the higher standards of living and better welfare that industry makes possible leads to lower infant mortality rates