Childhood as a social construct

?
What is the Western notion of childhood?
Children are fundamentally different from adults and children are too physically and psychologically immature to make their own decisions.
1 of 19
What does today's society describe childhood as?
"a special time of life"
2 of 19
What does the Western notion say about a child's lack of knowledge and skills?
Their lack of skills and knowledge produce a societal need to provide a lengthy, protected period of nurturing and socialisation.
3 of 19
How does Pilcher suggest the difference between adult and child status maintained in society?
Laws, Difference in dress, Products and services
4 of 19
How do Laws maintain the status difference between adults and children?
Regulate what children can and cannot do, and having a severity of punishments in not followed.
5 of 19
How does Difference in dress maintain the status difference between adults and children?
Although both have uniforms and work dress, parents are able to choose their work-dress themselves, however children get their uniform chosen for them.
6 of 19
How do Products and services maintain the status difference between adults and children?
Films have age restrictions, toys and games are different, and eat different foods.
7 of 19
What is the Golden Age?
Time of innocence, happiness, irresponsibility and fun. Children should be excluded from paid work, and are seen as vulnerable and require protection. Children need to be 'quarantined' from the dangerous adult world.
8 of 19
What did Benedict claim about childhood in 1934?
That non-industrial cultures have less of a distinction between adult & child behaviour and expectation, because children are treated very differently than in western society.
9 of 19
What are Benedict's 3 distinct differences between societies?
Earlier responsibility, sexual behaviour, and obedience to adult authority.
10 of 19
Who studied Earlier responsibilities across cultures and how does it differ between societies?
Punch studied children in Bolivia - They go to work when they turn 5 and that assigned work tasks are done without hesitation.
11 of 19
Who studied Sexual behaviour across cultures and how does it differ between societies?
Malinowski studied Trobriand island tribes - Adults took an attitude of 'tolerance ad amused interest' towards child sexual exploitation and activity. Girls began to amuse themselves at 4/5 years old.
12 of 19
Who studied Obedience to adult authority across cultures and how does it differ between societies?
Firth studied children in Tikopia - doing what they are told, by an adult, is something they can choose to do - not something that is expected
13 of 19
Why does Wagg say that childhood is not natural?
There is no single universal childhood - they're all different. childhood should be distinguished from mere biological immaturity.
14 of 19
What does Aries argue about childhood?
The idea of childhood didn't exist in the Middle Ages, and children were not seen as having a different nature to adults. Argues childhood is a relatively recent invention.
15 of 19
What was childhood like in Pre-Industrial society? (before 1760s)
Did not exist. Children took part in the same work and activities as asulkts. Child specific toys and games did not exist. Children were an economic asset, not anything ot be cared for. Children were punished for crimes the same as adults.
16 of 19
What was childhood like in the 1840s?
Working class children worked in mines and factories. De’ath rate of children started to fall because M/C parents began to emotionallyinvest in their children.
17 of 19
What was childhood like in the mid 19th century?
Children were banned from working in mines and factories - W/C parents resisted due to need of child wages. Adults were concerned about child prostitution and homeless kids.
18 of 19
What was childhood like in the 20th century?
Children are now valued, loved and protected. Better standards of living= decline in infant mortality rate. Increased availability of contraception=fewer children=love, socialise and protect current children
19 of 19

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What does today's society describe childhood as?

Back

"a special time of life"

Card 3

Front

What does the Western notion say about a child's lack of knowledge and skills?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How does Pilcher suggest the difference between adult and child status maintained in society?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How do Laws maintain the status difference between adults and children?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »See all Childhood resources »