Outline and explain 2 ways in which the distinction between childhood and adulthood is blurring.

Question 1

Point 1

Answer 1

Changes in modern society that makes childhood much shorter

Phillip- period of childhood has shortened from the innocent period lasting up to 14 years. Argues that this is due to children not being socialised into a healthy respect for parental authority, possible due to an influence from peer groups and media

• Shows that childhood is blurring as adulthood encroaches upon the experiences of children much earlier then in the past

Lee- argues that children are still dependent on their parens as they provide material goods

Question 2

Point 2

Answer 2

Information hierarchy

Postman- childhood emerged as a seperate satus from the 19th century along with mass literacy, the printed world created a division between adults who can read and children who cant, giving adults the power to able to keep knowledge that children cant

However, the introduction of television and technology blurred this distinction and ruined the information hierarchy, children no longer need to be able to read