Topic 4 + 5 - Family Diversity and Childhood

Question 1

The Modern Western Notion of childhood

Answer 1

• Children are fundamentally different from adults - they are physically and psychologically immature and not competent to run their lives
• Children’s lack of skills, knowledge and experience means that they need a lengthy, protected period of nurturing and socialisation before they are reasy for adult society and its responsibilities

Question 2

What does Jane Pilcher say about separateness?

Answer 2

• Most important feature of the mdoern idea of chilhood