What do sociologists think about childhood as a social construct?

Question 1

Pilcher (regarding the modern western notion of childhood)

Answer 1

• the most important feature of the modern idea of childhood is separateness

Question 2

Benedict (regarding cross-cultural differences in childhood)

Answer 2

• argues children in simple, non-industrial societies are generally treated differently from their modern western counterparts in three ways

Question 3

Aries (regarding historical differences in childhood)

Answer 3

• argues that in the Middle Ages ‘the idea of childhood did not exist’