The Disappearance of Childhood Flashcards
(15 cards)
What does Postman argue?
Childhood is ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’
Why does he argue that this is happening?
There is no distinction between adults and kids anymore
How is there no distinction between adult and kids anymore?
- Same rights
- Similar clothing
- Adult crimes committed by kids
- Traditional kid games dissipating
According to Postman, what is the fundamental reason why this has occurred?
Print culture replaced with television
What did Postman say in the 19th century caused childhood to become a separate status?
Mass literacy
What did mass literacy create according to Postman and how did it do this?
A sharp division via printed world
= Information hierarchy
What type of info could adults keep from children?
Knowledge of money, violence, sex, death, illness
What did the information hierarchy do to kids?
Made them more ignorant and innocent
How does TV blur the distinction between childhood and adulthood?
Doesn’t require literacy skills
Info available to all
How may adulthood be disappearing?
Childhood became more knowledgeable
Adult authority dissipates
What are some critiques to Postman’s ideas?
- Positive effect of TV
- Opie
- Jenks
- Overemphasis
What is the positive effect of TV?
Kids became more educated and knowledgeable on the wider society
What did Opie critique?
Childhood isn’t disappearing
- Child rhymes, songs, unsupervised games
What is the overemphasis critique?
Postman overemphasises TV as the fundamental cause for child development
= Other factors also contribute
What did Jenks critique?
Childhood is changing, not disappearing
Society is moving from modern -> post modern
= Adapting with childhood
