Sociology- Childhood Revision
- Created by: Lily Jeyes
- Created on: 11-06-21 09:13
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- CHILDHOOD changes over place and time
- The modern western notion of childhood
- Jane Pilcher 1995: Childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children in our society occupy a separate status from adults
- Childrens differences from adults are emphasised through different clothes, products and services (toys, food, books, entertainment, play areas etc)
- However, separate age-status isn't found in all societies; it is not universal. STEPHAN WAGG 1992: Childhood is socially constructed, it is what members of particular socities and different times define it to be
- Cross-cultural differences in childhood
- Benedict argues that children in non-industrial societies are generally treated differently from modern western counterparts
- 1. They take responsibility at an early age: SAMANTHA PUNCH'S study of childhood in rural Bolivia found that from 5 years old, children are sent to work for the community
- 2. Less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority: RAYMOND FIRTH: found that in the Western Pacific, children doing what they are told by the adult is regarded as a concession to be granted by the child
- 3. Children's sexual behaviour is often viewed differently: MALINOWSKI: adults took an attitude of 'tolerance and amused experience' towards childrens sexual explorations and activities
- Benedict argues that children in non-industrial societies are generally treated differently from modern western counterparts
- Globalisation of western childhood
- Western norms of what childhood should be- a separate life stage, based in the nuclear family and school, where children are innocent, dependent and vulnerable and have no economic role
- Campaigns against child labour in developing countries reflect western views- more countires are enforcing more child-centered policies
- Historical differences in childhood
- ARIES: In the 13th century, childhood did not exist; children would enter the wider society on much the same terms as adults, often working for the family
- EDWARD SHORTER: argues that parental attitudes differ from today. Parents would often give a newborn the same name as a deceased sibling and forget how many children they have
- Reasons for changes in the position of children (mindmap 2)
- Laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work
- Compulsory schooling
- Child protection and welfare legislation
- Growing attitudes towards the idea of children's rights
- Declining family size and lower infant mortality rates
- Children's development became subject of medical knowledge
- Laws and policies that are specific to children reinforce the idea that they're different to adults
- The modern western notion of childhood
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