sociology of childhood-family Flashcards
what is childhood?
sociologists see childhood as a social construction
Difference between social construction and biological determinism?
social construction- human characteristics are moulded by society
biological determinism- most human characteristics are determined at conception by hereditary factors passed from parents
How does Aries through his “Cult of childhood” show that childhood is a social construct?
b4 17th century, children regarded as “mini adults”
middle ages- children expect to act in adult ways, children given adult responsibilities.
decline in infant mortality means parents wished to invest energy into children, as a result childhood became valued more.
What does Ruth Benedict say to support the argument that childhood is a social construct?- cross cultural evidence
childhood can be in 3 different ways: 1, responsibility at an earlier age.2, less values place on children showing obedience to adults.3, children sexual behaviour viewed differentley.
what supporting evidence is there to support Ruth Benedicts works?
Holmes, samoon village- children neve to young to perform a task
Firth, Tikopia- Doing as your told is not expected as an adult.
How does the age of marriage in the UK prove childhood is a social construct?- historical
Minimum legal age for marriage in Britian rose to 16 in 1929- before girls could be married at 12 and boys at 14. Age at which childhood ends and adulthood starts moves in line with social attitudes.
What does Punch say to support that childhood is a social construct?- cross cultural
children growing up in countryside in Bolivia were given responsibilities and work to perform at age of 5. This contrasts w western attitudes towards child labour that have developed since industrialisation
What is meant by the globalisation of western childhood?
Judith Ennew- western childhood viewed as “correct childhood”. Idea that childhood should be separate and innocent projected onto cultures w-out same attitudes.
What can we say has caused the creation of childhood?
declining family size and low infant mortality means parents are encouraged to make greater financial and emotional investment in fewer children they now have
laws restricting child labour- children go from economic asset to economic liability.
how can we argue childhood is getting worse?
children vulnerable and need protection. We must return to “golden age” of childhood, modern day childhood is hazardous and becoming shorter.
what are 2 ways in which the “innocence” of childhood is being undermined according to Phillips?
1- distorted by liberal ideas giving too many rights and power to children- should be socialised to respect parental authority, increase in child rights have undermined this
2- rising influence of media and peer groups- magazines encourage young girls to envision selves as sexual beings.
what are the consequences of the trends identified by Phillips?
period of childhood now shortened, no longer sacred.
many children do not have emotional maturity to cope w the rights they have. Results in an increase in social problems like suicide, eating disorders, self harm etc.
how could “Children as consumers” undermine the authority of parents?
rise of children as consumers, estimated children aged 7-11 worth about 20 million year as consumers
advertisers encourage “pester power”
What is meant by the “golden age” of childhood?
ppl see own lives as being less complex and pressurized. Children as consumers are manipulative now.
Pugh- parental spending on children is “consumption as compensation”
parents alleviate guilt of not spending time with children by buying them things.
What was Postman’s dissapreance of childhood?
decline in print culture and rise in television culture meant childhood disappeared. Info was on print and only adults could read. middle ages, most ppl illiterate and only skill needed for participation in adult world.
What was Palmers toxic childhood?
childhood experiences polluted w technology, parents instead of reading put screens in front of kids, buy kids electronics. Children need good old fashioned upbringing.
consequences about complacency of childhood
every year children become more distractable, impulsive etc.
How can we criticise Postman’s dissapreance of childhood?
Iano Opie- still strong evidence of childhood existing, looked at children rhymes and songs.
How can we criticise Palmer’s toxic childhood?
development of media can provide huge opportunities on the world. Media could be expanding children’s mind.
what’s the march of progress in terms of childhood?
childhood getting better as children are being educated and not forced to work.
how can we incorporate social class to explain differences in childhood?
children poorer families more likely to have lower birth weight which delays psychical and intellectual development.
children poorer families more likely to have long term illnesses, fall behind at school; and die in infancy.
How can we incorporate ethnicity to explain differences in childhood?
Brannen- Asian parents were more likely to be stricter towards their children, particularly daughters.
Bhatti- ideas on family honour some cultures could restrict behaviour of children, particularly girls.
How can we incorporate gender to explain differences in childhood?
Hillman- boys more likely to given freedom by families to go out after dark
Bonko- girls likely to do more domestic labour, especially in lone parent families.
What does Jenks say about childhood?
childhood is changing x disappearing. in post modern society relationships less stable leading to family breakdown. Adults become even more protective of child’s security. Results in greater regulation of children’s lives.
What evidence is there of “greater regulation of children’s lives”?
tracking apps on phone and parents reading children’s text, “helicopter parenting”. Parents to concerned for children’s constant welfare.
Jenks has been criticised for over generalising, what does this mean?
not all parents are like this, can be other extremes like parents neglecting children.
not every breakdown of relationship causes helicopter parenting.
What does Gittins mean by age patriarchy?
inequalities between adults and children. Adult domination and child dependency. Particularly discuses the way the power of males in families is exerted over children as well as women.
give some examples of adult domination of children?
controls over space- restricting movements, lifts to school, child free areas.
control over bodies- clothes, hair, piercings, handholding.
What is meant by the child liberationist view and how can it be criticised?
need to free children from adult control. could argue that children need nurturing to a certain extent- cant do everything themselves.
What does Mayall mean by the adultist view?- new sociology of childhood
adults may see children as “socialisation projects” for adults to mould and develop. no interest in themselves only what they will become in future.
How do Mason and Tipper see children as active in creating an understanding of family?
show how children actively create own definition of who is “family”- may include people who are not proper aunts or grandfathers, but ppl they regard as close
What does Smart say about children and divorce?
from being passive victims, children were actively involved in trying to make the situation better for everyone.
