Sociology Of Childhood Flashcards
Social construction of Childhood
Childhood is socially constructed, this means it is created by society and is the product of social processes and norms. This means that childhood is not fixed and varies across cultures.
Evidence to suggest childhood is socially constructed
1 - there are cultural differences of children’s experiences of childhood
2 - there are historical differences of children’s experiences of childhood
3 - there are differences between children’s experiences and responsibilities
Cultural differences of childhood - Western culture
Western childhood today - the golden age
Pincher suggests the western and social construction of childhood is a golden age and has features like it being a privileged and special time, their dress is different, they play rather than work and are seen as innocent.
Evidence in laws and rights to protect them eg age restrictions, prevention of full time work till 18
Cross cultural differences in childhood - non western
In non western cultures, childhood may not be a positive experience as they have to take responsibility earlier eg expecting to work from the age they are no longer physically dependent on their parents, they may be more exploited eg being recruited as child soldiers, sexual behaviour is viewed different,y and occurs at a much younger age.
Historical changes in childhood - Aries
We know that childhood is socially constructed because historically it didn’t take the same form as it used to. Aries suggested that in medieval times childhood didn’t exist as children were required to work and had the same responsibilities as adults and in the eyes of the law they are considered adults. He found this evidence in an analysis of paintings and the way adults and children were represented in them. He said the concept of childhood is modern and by the 20th century there was a cult of childhood where we have all become obsessed with childhood as a privileged time.
Evaluation of Aries
LIMITATION - paintings are subjective and may not accurately reflect reality
- Pollack criticises that childhood did not exist in the Middle Ages but individuals have different notions of it. There is evidence for this archeologically as infants had different graves than adults where quartz zones were placed on the infant but not the adult one
Changing status of childhood
Industrialisation - laws restricting child labour and compulsory education
Decline in IMR - change in attitude towards children is due to a decline in infant mortality. Children have become an economic liability rather than resource and the family has become more child centric
Has the position of childhood improved and is society more child centric now (YES)
Children have more rights
Laws and policies protect children
Family size has reduced and parents spend more time and money on fewer children
Has the position of childhood improved and is society more child centric now (NO)
Child poverty - Howard
Neglect and Abuse
Control over time space and money - helicopter parenting - Cunningham
Is childhood disappearing? (YES)
Postman suggests childhood may actually be disappearing as a special time. Children have the same rights as adults and commit adult crimes. Internet and Tv more accessible to children and they are less innocent.
Phillips also suggests childhood is being shortened and is no longer a period of innocence as adulthood encroaches on it much earlier.
Is childhood disappearing? (NO)
Opie - children rhymes and games and songs have continued existence
Brooks. highly critical of idea that childhood is disappearing and parents are becoming more obsessed with controlling children - helicopter parenting
Palmer - toxic childhood - parents are using technology rather than traditional parenting techniques this doesn’t mean childhood is changing but it is now a negative experience.
Post modernity and childhood
Lee suggests that childhood has not disappeared but is more complex and ambiguous as has adulthood. For example children are more independent now and make decisions and choices on the things they consume but are still dependent on parents purchasing power.
Jenks also believes childhood is just changing rather than disappearing again due to the uncertainty and risk associated with postmodern society. This results in parents being more protective.
Personal life perspective and the new sociology of childhood
Smart argues research into childhood today needs to be focused on the views and experiences of children while they are growing up. This can be done with methods like unstructured interviews which establishes the view of childhood from their eyes.
