Describing family relationships: children Flashcards
What are the views that childhood is a social construct?
Wagg argues that childhood is a social construct, not biologically inevitable as experiences vary within and between societies.
Punch found that Children in Bolivia are given far more adult responsibilities outside and within the home.
Parsons merely viewed children in terms of requiring socialisation into adulthood.
Many researchers, like Aries, argued that childhood was a social development and the idea that children were separate and special only developed over the last 150 years in the West.
James and Prout emphasised the social construction of childhood, that children were biologically immature, but these meanings of children were attached by society.
Mayall argued that children should be studied because they have an expressive and instrumental role in families.
How has childhood emerged?
Aries explored the emergence of childhood using portraits.
In the 10th-13th century, children were seen as mini adults.
In the twentieth century (the century of childhood), childhood fully emerged as a separate era.
Shorter argues that in the past, the infant mortality rates were so high that parents didn’t invest in relationships with children.
Reasons for changes in childhood:
-Emergence of new laws and policies (Factor Act’s 1880s)
-Emergence of children’s rights.
-Decline in family size.
-Growing interest in children’s development.
What views support the view that childhood has improved?
March of progress views argue that childhood has improved.
Aries agrees, arguing that society has become more child centred.
Shorter found that children enjoy closer and deeper relationships with their parents.
Children now have better health and affluence in society.
What views support the view that childhood has deteriorated?
Conflict theories argue that children remain vulnerable and exploited.
Donzelot argues that the state acts as surveillance over children’s lives, checking parenting conforms to the dominant ideology.
Gittens argue that children experience age patriarchy.
Brannen argues that the numbers of beanpole families increasing mean more children experience loneliness as they have smaller families.
Palmer discusses a ‘toxic childhood’ where technology is replacing good parenting.
How does childhood vary in terms of ethnicity, social class and gender?
Brannen argues that childhood varies with ethnicity, pointing out how Asian parents are often stricter.
Howard argues that childhood varies by social class, finding that poor children do significantly less well at school.
Hillman argues that childhood varies by gender, finding that boys are less protected and controlled than girls.
What is the future of childhood?
Pilcher argues that childhood is a golden age of innocence and happiness.
Postman argues that the rise and fall of print media means children are exposed to adult realities.
Beck argues that society today is characterised by risk and increased individualism which places children at greater instability in family life.
