Topic 2: Childhood Flashcards
childhood as a social construction
The position of children and the definition of childhood are not fixed but it differes between places, time and cultures.
Pilcher
Childhood is seen as a distinct life stage because they are seperate from adults and have a seperate status which is seen through different laws and things that children are and aren’t allowed to do.
Wagg
Childhood is not universal. While children go through the same physical developments, in different cultures they process differently.
Benedict
Children can take on responsibility at an early age. For example, holding a weapon in certain cultures shows that they have to take responsibility and fend for themselves.
March of progress view (Aries)
The position of children has been slowly improving due to new laws like child labour which shows that children are now better cared for and more portected.
Postman - childhood is disappearing
In the middle ages adults had power of children and could keep knowledge about sex, money and violence away from children because they couldn’t read.
With television being developed there was no longer an information hierarchy and children could access any information.
Adults’ and children’s styles are also becoming more similar.
Criticisms of Postman
His view is outdated becaise he doesn’t take into asccount the media and internet that we have nowadays.
Criticisms of child centred families
Helicopter parents
Lonely childhoods
More stress from families
Not everyone has high living standards
Pros about child centred families
Laws and charities
More education
Better living standards
More money being spent on children
Child protection laws and safeguarding
Jenkins- childhood is changing not disappearing
Relationships with children are now very important for adults’ stability and identity.
Parents are becoming more concerned with their child’s safety making them more protective.
Reinforces the idea that children are vulnerable and in need of protection.
Criticisms of Jenkins
Not all parents are like this. E.g: abusive homes, dark side of the family.
Not all boys are overprotected but more girls are.
Children are now under more surveillance
Palmer - toxic childhood
there have been technological and cultural changes that have damaged children’s physical , emotional and intellectual development.
Parents don’t spend as much time with children anymore, they are too used to computer games and fast food.
Children are now easily distracted and less sociable.
The conflict view
There is a dark side to the family where children are victims to physical and sexual abuse
There has been a rise in cyberbullying.
Growing up in the UK, children are more prone to bad mental and physical health
Conflict view - age patriarchy (Gittins)
inequalities between adults and children where there is adult domination.
This oppresses women and children; women are more likely to be abused by their husband in fear of their child’s life.
