Topic 1- Childhood Flashcards
(15 cards)
How is childhood a social construct?
It is created and defined by society. It differs between different places, times and cultures.
How did Pilcher say we are in the ‘Golden Age of childhood’
Childhood is now centred around happiness and innocence, as well as protecting children from the dangers of society.
More products and services such as toys, food, books entertainment etc.
What evidence is there that childhood as changed overtime?
Aries investigated childhood from different periods of time by looking at work of art.
What di Aries find whilst looking at the art work?
10th-13th Century, Childhood did not exist, children worked at an early age and were seen as the same as adults.
13th Century onwards, childhood starts to emerge, schools started coming into place.
20th Century, the century of the child.
Why has childhood changed?
- Laws restricting child labour and excluding them from paid work.
- The growth of children’s rights, rights to healthcare, education, and protection from abuse etc.
What is the march of progress?
The idea that childhood has improved since the past few centuries due to things such as:
- Better healthcare, education and rights.
- Family has become more child centred and invested more into their children.
- More services to accommodate for children’s educational, psychological and medical needs.
How does Palmer criticise the March of Progress, and the idea that childhood is better now?
Palmer says the UK is now experiencing ‘a toxic childhood’ due to things such as: junk food, social media and computer games, long working hours of parents etc.
According to Palmer what can a toxic childhood lead to?
Can cause damaged physical, emotional and intellectual development.
Also leads to things like: Obesity, early sexual experiences, teenage pregnancies, self harm and drug/ alcohol abuse.
How do marxists and Feminists criticise the March of Progress view?
They say there are still conflicts between different social groups such as social class and gender.
How is there inequalities between children?
Not all children experience the same childhood, and their experience may differ because of social groups such as gender, ethnicity and class.
How is gender an issue for childhood?
Boys are more likely to be allowed to go out after dark, be allowed to cross or cycle on roads etc. (Hillman) whereas girls do more domestic labour, especially in families of lone parents. (Bonke)
How is ethnicity a problem for childhood?
Asian parents were more likely than other parents to be more strict towards daughters. (Brannen)
Family honour can also be a restriction on the behaviour of girls. (Bhatti)
What are 5 ways the adults control the children? (Child liberationism)
- Neglect and abuse- physical neglect, or physical or sexual. Childline receives over 20,000 calls a year from children.
- Control over space
- Control over childrens time- what time they get up, eat, go to school, come home etc.
- Control over bodies- how to sit, walk, run, what to wear, hairstyles etc.
- Control over access to resources.
What is age patriarchy?
The domination of children by adults. Gittins links this to family- often families are headed by a male and he has power over women and children.
How is childhood disappearing according to Postman?
- Disappearance of childhood games,
-Growing similarity between children and adult clothing - Even children committing adult crimes like murder.
