CHILDHOOD
- Created by: RandomEpicness
- Created on: 08-12-21 21:01
Fullscreen
The experience of childhood varies across different cultures and over time and sociologists use this to support the idea that childhood is a social construction rather than purely based on biology.
e.g. in Western cultures children are thought to be protected but:
- UNICEF found that in 2014 1/10 globally have experienced serious sexual violence.
- There are also high numbers of child murder.
- In 21 countries around the world, 2008 report showed that children are being killed and brutalised and recruited as child soldiers.
Varies to Western where children are protected from even working for money.
Also- there are some obvious differences in biological argument e.g. physical. is 0-5 years really social construct? When does biology become less important?
MARCH OF PROGRESS VIEW
Aries (1973)
- Argued that childhood didn't even exist in medieval times and kids were 'little adults', working as soon as physically able.
- No separateness e.g. toys, social life.
- Aries showed that industrialisation caused the separation.
- Child discipline practised back them would now be considered abuse now.
- Compulsory education separated children from adults, making children dependent.
- Gradually families have become more child-centred. Since 1960s, the amount of time parents spend with children has more than doubled.
- Children are more expensive; parents sacrifice more.
All this is known as the 'march of progress'. Changes include:
- Welfare state support
- Legal and policy changes protecting children e.g. child benefit, UN convention on the Rights of the Child 1989.
- Paediatricians and specialist healthcare
- Consumer market specially for children
- Early years education/compulsory education.
- Increase in smaller families = more child-focused parenting
- Higher living standards = so more money spend on kids
- Parenting fears have increased e.g. fear of kidnapping
- Reduction in working work from 70-80hrs to 30-40hrs.
HOW HAS CHILDHOOD WORSENED?
- Children are now protected but also restricted by parents. Gittens (1998) calls this 'age patriachy' - many argue children are too controlled = unfair and against march of progress.
- Legal controls prevent children from many things e.g. marriage, drinking.
- Unhappy children- Womack (2011) reported that Britain's kids are unhappiest than in Western World. This is caused by e.g. family breakdown…
Comments
No comments have yet been made