Theories Of Childhood Flashcards
March of progress
The position of children is improving
The disappearance of childhood
Children are growing up to quickly
Postmodernism
Children are increasingly monitored by their parents
Toxic childhood
Children’s health is being damaged by contemporary society
March of progress views
Childhood has changed for the better over time (Aries)
•Specialised products emerged for children
•Education became child-focused
•Adults are more interested in child-rearing
Families are now child-centred (Cunningham)
•Children have a special status
•Children are an economic burden
The disappearance of childhood
Postman •TV exposes children to the adult world •The information hierarchy is in decline Pugh -Children apply pester power -Parents are cash-rich but time-poor -Parents use consumption as compensation -Power has shifted towards children
The postmodernism view
Jenks
•Parents are more risk conscious
•Media exposes parents to potential threats •Parent-child relationships are more intense today
Toxic childhood
Children’s wellbeing is under threat (Palmer)
- Children have poor diet
- Children are overly influenced by media
- Education is excessively pressured
- Family life is changing for the worse
Conflict perspectives
address inequalities which exist between children & the power imbalance between children & adults
Conflict perspective views
Inequalities exist between children •Global inequalities •Class inequalities •Ethnic & religious inequalities •Gender inequalities Adults are overly controlling & may be harmful of children •Neglect & abuse •Control of space •Control of time •Control of bodies •Control of resources
