Topic 1- Families And Households Flashcards
How is childhood seen as a social construct?
It is created by society as it differs through cultures, times and places
How does Pilcher describe the western notion of childhood, including 5 features of it?
He describes it as the ‘golden age’ of childhood and:
1) has separateness
2) time of happiness and innocence
3) kids are protected by adults from adult world
4) excluded from paid work
5) they dress different and have different products and likings
What is wags view of childhood and what does it contrast with?
Wag believes childhood is socially constructed as it is different through times,places and cultures. It should be distinguished through biological immaturity. This contrasts with Pilchers golden age theory.
Give evidence for cross-cultural differences in childhood.
Benedict- non-industrial children compared to western children, 3 differences:
1) NI kids take responsibility at a younger age, punch- kids from Bolivia work from age 5, holmes- samoan villages see being too young as an invalid excuse
2) less value on children obedience- Firth- tikopia adults dont expect kids to do as they’re told
3)childrens sexual behaviour is different- Malinowski- trobriand islands took amusement in childrens sexual exploration
Explain the globalisation of western childhood?
Western views of childhood are being globalised as global humanitarian and welfare agencies have been imposed on the world. Such as campaigning against child labour or street kids
Give evidence for historical differences in childhood.
Aries- investigated looked at paintings from different times
10-13th century- no idea of childhood, worked, became adults when they passed physical dependency, law made no distinction
13th century- modern view of childhood emerged, schools for the young, seen as creatures of god, growing distinction between clothing, by 18th century childcenteredness had emerged
20th century- we are obsessed with childhood and calls this the ‘century of the child’
Why has childhood changed, 4 reasons?
Laws- restricting child labour, became economic assets to liabilities, introduction of compulsory schooling allowed poor kids to go to school and the leaving age allowed for longer dependency.
Children’s rights- parents have responsibilities, basic rights to health care ans protection from abuse, ect
Declining family size- lower infant mortality rates, motivation for parents to make greater financial and emotional investments into kids
Policies specific to children- minimum age laws.
How has industrialisation affected childhood?
The shift from agriculture to factory production brought higher standards of living and welfare which lowered infant mortality rates. It is also key to the modern idea of childhood and the change of childrens status
What is the march of progress and do they believe the position of children has improved?
Yes they believe it has improved.
March of progress- a view that believes childhood has gradually changed - they believe childhood in the past was a nightmare - Aries and Shorter : children have better healthcare, childcare, education and rights today.
What is some evidence that childhood has improved?
Smaller family sizes so parents can afford more.
Family has become more child- centred, more financial and emotional investment.
Children are protected from harm by the law.
Society is child centred, more media and leisure for kids
What is toxic childhood and how does it think childhood hasnt improved?
Palmer- things such as junkfood, computer games, social media, intensive marketing to children, long working hours of parents, growing emphasis on testing in education.
This has led to things such as obesity, early sexual experience, teenage pregnancies, self harm and drug alcohol abuse.
What is conflict view and how does it disagree with childhood being improved?
Feminists and Marxists would argue that society is based on conflict between different social groups, such as social class and gender.
There are inequalities between children and also inequalities between children and adults.
How does gender ethnicity and social class affect childhood?
Gender: Hillman- boys are more likely to be allowed to cross or cycle on roads ,use buses and go out after dark, Bronke- girls do more domestic labour, especially in lone parent, families, five times more than boys
Ethnicity: Brannen- asian parents are more likely to be strict towards their daughters. Bhatti- found a families honour (izzat) could be a restriction on the behaviour of girls.
Class: poor mothers, are more likely to have lost weight babies. This is linked to delete physical and intellectual development. Disconnect to more risk of suffering from hyperactivity disorders and conduct disorders.
How are children and adults unequal?
1) neglect and abuse- children are controlled through physical, neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
2) children’s space- there is a control over where children can go. There is an increase in close surveillance of children in public areas. There is a fear about road safety in stranger danger.
3) childrens time- I don’t control children’s daily routines this contrasts with Holmes, who found Samoans would never deemed as too young.
4) children’s bodies- I don’t have control over how children sit walk, run what day where the hairstyles and piercings they are also washed, fed and dressed.
5) children’s access to resources- children can’t work as they remain depend on an adult and lows obstruct them from earning.
What is age patriarchy?
Gittins- describes the inequalities between adult as children as age patriarchy. Gittins makes the link and the family is dominated by the male. This can be shown in the form of domestic violence. Is argued that this patriarchy also oppresses the children.
