The Social Construct of Childhood

Question 1

What is a social construct?

Answer 1

Any idea or understanding that people possess, which has been created and defined by the social environment in which they live

Question 2

What do sociologists believe about the social construct of childhood?

Answer 2

They argue childhood is not a biological stage, but a socially constructed experience

Question 3

What does Aries (1960) believe about childhood in the past?

Answer 3

During medieval times, children were regarded as mini-adults. They dressed the same, had the same responsibilities as adults and would be punished in the same way. There was no recognition that children were less mature than adults. They were seen as an economic asset

Question 4

What does Shorter (1975) believe about the social construct of childhood?

Answer 4

Parents were less likely to emotionally invest in their children due to high infant mortality. There was limited advances in medicine and poor healthcare meaning a high proportion of children died early.

Question 5

What does Pilcher (1995) believe about the social construct of childhood?

Answer 5

In the 1800s campaigns were launched that challenged the presence of children in the work force. He argues this happened because adults became more knowledgeable about the physical and emotional differences between adults and children. By the second half of the 20th century, the social construct of childhood had completely changed

Question 6

What did Punch (2001) point out about the differences of children’s experience around the world?

Answer 6

Kids in the U.K. are protected from the world of work and responsibility. However, in Bolivia for example, children as young as 5 are expected to work for a living and to take on domestic responsibilities - children are still regarded as an economic asset.

Question 7

What did Firth (1970) find about the global differences in children?

Answer 7

In some countries, such as the tribal Tikopia community children as still regarded as mini adults and are not required to show respect to those older than them. All members of the community have equal status and power, irrespective of age.

Question 8

What did Malinowski (1957) find about the global differences in children?

Answer 8

There are differences in the attitudes towards the sexuality of children. In his study of the Troband community children who were having sex were not discouraged to do so which is vastly different from British society.