JKR: Childhood As A Social Construct Flashcards
How do sociologists see childhood?
As socially constructed, something created and defined by sociology.
What people mean by childhood and the position that children occupy in society is…
Not fixed but differs between different times, places and culture - e.g. different countries have different laws on when you can do things like drink alcohol, smoke, have sex etc
How are children seen by society?
As being immature and not yet competent to run their own lives - they lack skills and experience so they need to be protected.
What does Pilcher think the most important feature of the modern idea of childhood?
Separateness - childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children have a separate status from adults e.g. different laws for children and adults.
Childhood is seen as…
The “golden age” of happiness and innocence - however this makes children vulnerable as they are innocent and they have to be protected in the sphere of family and education.
Are all children treated the same?
Which sociologist explains this?
No, there is no universal idea of childhood as it changes - Wagg says that in western cultures, children are seen as vulnerable but in other cultures some children may have a lot of responsibility.
What did Ruth Benedict say?
That children who lived in non industrial socities are treated differently:
- take responsibility eg. In Bolivia 5+ kids expected to work. Lowell Holmes studied another village and found that too young was never a reason why a child could not do a task.
- less value is placed on children showing obedience to adults. Firth found that among the Tikopia people, adults don’t have a right for respect from kids.
- children’s sexual behaviour is viewed differently among Trobriand islanders.
How is western ideas of childhoos being globalised?
International welfare agencies have started campaigns against child labour / street children. This has helped massively in the developing world but may have little impact on the position of children in developing countries.
What historical differences in childhood has there been?
Aries argues that in the Middle Ages - the idea of childhood didn’t exist and children were treated like adults in punishments & having a job.
Why is it that now we have laws on how children should be punished when committing a crime?
1) kids won’t understand the language used by interrogaters - now we have specialists for this but in Middle Ages, there weren’t any.
2) the Jamie Bulger cause opened up people’s eyes that kids can also commit horrible crimes.
According to Aries, where did the modern idea of childhood emerge?
From the 13th century:
- schools began to specialise in educating the young.
- by 17th century: an upper class boy would be depressed in an outfit reserved for his own age and set him apart from adults.
- by 18th century: books on childbearing were available.
Why is Aries work valuable?
Because it shows that childhood is socially constructed and it changes depending on time and social status.
How can Aries work be criticised?
POLLOCK says that his view of the past is inaccurate - childhood was different to today’s but children were treated as vulnerable.
Why has childhood changed over time? (3)
- laws passed restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work.
- introduction of compulsory schooling in 1880 & raising of school leaving age extended this period of dependency.
- child protection & welfare legislation e.g. social services and growth of the idea of children’s rights.
What did the Children Act of 1989 state?
That parents have responsibilities rather than rights in relation to children.
