Childhood Flashcards
(32 cards)
what is the definition of a ‘child’ ?
a person under 18 years old, who is classified as dependent.
why are children seen as dependent?
they are
- psychologically immature
- physically immature
- vulnerable
Who said that ‘childhood is socially constructed’?
WAGG
what does the term ‘childhood is socially constructed’ mean?
- childhood has been created and defined by society at the time
- based on norms and values of the time
- it is not fixed or universal, so there is no single childhood experienced by all
what are the three ways in which childhood differs?
1= CULTURE
2=TIME
3= SITUATION
what did PILCHER say about childhood in western notion of childhood?
- SEPARATENESS
- children occupy a separate status to adults
- childhood is a special time of life
- ‘golden age’ of innocence and happiness
who studied the MEDIEVAL CHILD to find out how time affects childhood?
ARIES
what did aries say about the medieval child?
- no distinctions between adults and children
- no separateness, seen as the same
- children were ‘mini-adults’ in all aspects
- childhood didn’t exist
- children had the same rights, duties, punishments, etc as adults.
what does aries’ discovery about the medieval child tell us about childhood?
that childhood is a recent social invention
what was said about how situation can affect childhood in the western childhood?
- relative childhood, our experiences are different
- in relation to eachother
in the UK, how many people live in poverty, affecting their childhood?
2.1 million
what are the two main reasons why there is a DARK SIDE to childhood?
- not every childhood experience in the UK is the ‘golden age’
- there is 20,000 calls to childline every year
what did DE MAUSE say in 1974 about the history of childhood?
‘the history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken’
what nightmares did children face?
-abuse
-child labour
-death, families deaths
-low standards of living
-neglect
etc
what does the march of progress suggest about childhood?
- childhood is the best it’s ever been
- slow + gradual improvement in the experiences of childhood.
who does the improvement of childhood only apply to?
- western notion
- based on situation found in
what are the main reasons for the change in childhood?
- change in social attitudes
- decrease in infant mortality rate
- child protection laws
- compulsory education
- banned child labour
- change in family size
- industrialisation
- numerate + literate workforce was needed
- introduction of NHS
- UN Convention on Rights of Children
what would there be more of (3 things) if child protection laws weren’t put into place?
- teenage pregnancy
- child alcoholism
- child smoking
who said that children’s songs, rhymes and toys show evidence of ‘separate children’s culture.’
OPIE
what does OPIES theory show?
- a positive focus on children
- things are now just designed for children
- leads to child-centredness and quality>quantity
what is the CONFLICT VIEW on childhood?
- don’t think childhood is the best it’s been
- childhood is too controlled
- childhood is disappearing
- childhood is worse/toxic
what did GITTENS say about childhood being too controlled?
- age patriarchy= ruled by parents
- power imbalance (hierarchy) that exists between adults and children.
what do parents control?
- time
- bodies
- access to resources
- space
what are the 3 consequences of childhood being too controlled?
1- creation of helicopter parents
2- bubble wrap generation
3- rise in tiger mums
