Childhood Has Not Improved

Question 1

Explain three reasons that childhood has not improved

Answer 1

Toxic childhood
Conflict view
Age patriarchy

Question 2

Toxic childhood

Answer 2

Some writers suggest that the children in the UK today are toxic childhood
She argues that rapid technological and cultural changes in the past 25 years has damaged children’s physical, emotional and intellectual development
These changes range from junk food, computer games too long hours worked by parents and the growing emphasis on testing in education

Concerns have also been expressed about young peoples behaviour

There has been a report that the Uk is near the top of league tables for obesity, self harm, drug and alcohol abuse and many more

This proves that the modern notion of childhood is under threat

Question 3

Conflict view

Answer 3

Conflict sociologists argue that the March of progress view of modern childhood is based on an idealised image that ignores the important inequalities

And that there are inequalities among children and the opportunities and the risks they may face
Not all children share the same status or experiences,
feminists would also argue that there are also gender differences between children as boys are allowed to be out late and unaccompanied whilst girls are not allowed

The inequalities between children and adults are greater than ever as children experience greater control, oppression and dependency
Child liberation see the need for children to be freed from adult control
Adult control takes a number of forms
This includes control over space
Control over time
Control over children
Control over children’s access to resources

Question 4

What are the four types of control adults have over children?

Answer 4

Control over space

Control over time

Control over children’s body

Control over children’s access to resources

Question 5

Conflict view
Age patriarchy

Answer 5

The term age patriarchy is used to describe inequalities between adults and children where children are dominated by adults
Patriarchy means rule by father
This may still assert itself in the form of violence against both children and women
For example, a quarter of 200 women in a study left their abusing partners because they feared for their children’s lives
And that children act older than they are to be more like adults for example smoking and drinking or engaging in sexual activities
Similarly, children sometimes revert back to childlike behaviour, such as baby talk as another mean to resisting adult influence

Question 6

Ao3 for these

Answer 6

Some argue that some adult control over children’s lives is justified because children cannot make rational decisions for themselves, so they are unable to safe guard themselves
And although children remain under supervision, they are not as powerless as it is claimed
for example the child act established the principle that children have legal rights to be protected and consulted