THEORIES OF CHILDHOOD Flashcards
Discuss the March of progress theory
-social status of children in the west has improved since the beginning of the 20th century
ARIES:
-children were seen as mini adults but a new perception of childhood as emerged=modern cult of childhood
-number of changes which have impacted how people view and treat children
1)products today are aimed at children
EXAMPLE:clothes and toys
-children were no longer regarded as mini adults but a separate group
2)focus of education shifted
- more schools created which focused on the teachings of children rather than adults
-children then seen as a group which needed to be nurtured and developed by adults
3)adults became interested in child rearing techniques
-parents were interested in their child’s development+wanted to raise them in the ‘right way’
CUNNINGHAM:
-britain is a child centred society:children were given special status in which they regarded as the most important family member in society+of families
-government policy’s were created to protect children from harm
-parents saw children as something they should love and cherish so families got smaller so they could pay more attention to them
-children became an economic burden as patents spend a lot of money on them to ensure their needs are being met
EVALUATION:
-Not all childhood is a positive experience, some children may suffer problems like abuse and neglect and problems such as poverty
Discuss the disappearance of childhood thesis
-proposes by the new right and believe that the the changing position of children in society is having a negative impact
-Biggest Concern is that children are developing adult tendencies too quickly and parent cannot stop this as children have all the power
POSTMAN:
-Invention of the TV is why childhood is disappearing
- children are exposed to the adult world too easily
Information hierarchy:In the past only people who could read well would hear about negative events going on
EG-crime
-declined with intro of TV as easier for children to understand as they supported by graphic images
-children start to worry like adults
PUGH:
-children believe they need certain object to be fulfilled in life
-Child apply pester power to their parents,pressuring them to buy products so they don’t feel compared to their peers
-Parents are less actively involved in their childrens lives as most families are dual career couples
-parents who are cash rich but time poor buy their children whatever they want to make up for how busy they am known as consumption as compensation
-shift in poser in parent-child relationship,children have control over parents
-leads to spoilt children
EVALUATION:
-Criticis argue that British children dont grow up quickly and are protected
-TV isnt as influential as Postman makes out,parents can control what they watch
Discuss the Post modern view
-Reject the view that childhood is disappearing
JENKS:
-Growing awareness of risk -‘risk conscious’ and threats to children safety’s which is encouraged by growth in technology
-parents are exposed to more information about dangers
-Parenrs are more protective than ever before EG-Reluctant to let child walk to school alone
-parent-child relationships are more intense.Adutl relationships are less stable due to risk of breakups and divorces
-relationship with child is guaranteed to last which drives parents to protect their children
EVALUATION:
-There are far more risks in society today EG-grooming which are dangerous so parents are right to be worried
-Not all children are overprotected,Jenks ignores this
What does Palmer say about Toxic Childhood ?
-Rapid technological and cultural changes have significantly damaged children
Number of things children are likely to experience which damage children :
1)Food consumption and diet.Some children are regularly fed fast food which contributes to the epidemic of childhood obesity
2)Significance of media.Children feel pressure from a young age possess certain products or to look a certain way to feel fulfilled.Connect to the growing mental health crisis in children as they feel not good enough compared to other people
3)Shift in focus of education from learning to exams: Children are placed under a lot of stress and children are left feeling anxious by the focus on exams and are struggling to cope with demands school puts on them
4)Changes to the family:Most children raised is dual career families may not get enough attention from their parents
-More children experiencing their parents divorce which puts alot of pressure on children
-All these factors combines are having a derogatory impact on behaviours of children and teenagers.More and more children are turning to drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms and engaging in early sexual behaviours
Overall childhood is difficult
EVALUATION:
-Palmer exaggerates the negativity children are exposed to, most children have a positive childhood experience
-Palmer exaggerates behaviours of children and teenagers there is not evidence they children behave worse than previous generations
-Children reporting mental health issues is a good thing,tell us that children are more open and dan be dealt with far better
