Childhood

Question 1

What does the Modern Western of Notion of Childhood say about childhood being a social construct?

Answer 1

• Pilcher: seperateness is the main identifier
• e.g. laws
• Seperation = “golden age”
• Kids are “quarantined” from danger

Question 2

How do Historical Differences show that childhood is a social construct?

Answer 2

• Aries: childhood didn’t exist in the middle ages, art depicted them as “mini adults”
• Shorter: Children weren’t seen as vulnerable

Question 3

How do Cross-cultural differences show that childhood is a social construct?

Answer 3

• Punch: kids take responsibility younger e.g. 5yr olds working in Bolivia

Question 4

How does the March of Progress view show that childhood has improved?

Answer 4

• Aries and Shorter: children are more valued and protected

Question 5

How have families become more child centred?

Answer 5

• Smaller
• Parents spend £227,000 by child’s 21st birthday

Question 6

What is Toxic Childhood?

Answer 6

• Palmer: technological and cultural changes in last 25 years have led to physical, intellectual, emotional and social decline

Question 7

What is Age Patriarchy?

Answer 7

• Gittins: inequalities between kids and adults
• Humphreys and Thiara: kids “act up” or “act down”

Question 8

What is the Conflict View?

Answer 8

• Inequalities among children
• Hilman: boys are more likely to go out after dark