Childhood

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Childhood
A distinct stage of life separate from adults. Sociologists argue it has been socially constructed and the position of children in society is not fixed but differs between places, time and cultures
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Social construction
Where something is created by social processes, rather than simply occurring naturally.
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'Cult of childhood'
Aries (1960) argues the social construction of childhood has led to a world that is obsessed with childhood
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'March of progress'
Aries (1960) and Shorter (1975) argue the position of childhood has improved and that children are better cared for, protected and educated and enjoy better health and have more rights than previous generations
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Infant mortality rate
Number of infants who die before their first birtday per thousand live births per year.
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Child centred
Society now places a lot of attention on children compared to the past, e.g. Middle Ages (Aries 1960)
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Child liberationists
Argue children are victims of the domination of adults and need to be freed from adult control.
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'Age patriarchy'
Argue there are inequalities between adults and children and that adults dominate children. Gittins (1998) argues this is largely by men as head of the family.
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Disappearance of childhood
Postman (1994) argues television has led to this due to the breaking down of boundaries between adults and children
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Information hierarchy
Postman (1994) argues that in the 19th century, mass literacy meant there was a barrier between adults who could read and children who could not. Knowledge about 'adult matters', sex, death, violence etc. were kept separate. TV breaks down this infor
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Globalisation of western childhood
Palmer (2010) argues rapid technological and cultural changes have damaged children's physical, emotional and intellectual development.
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'New sociology of childhood'
Sees children as active agents in creating their childhood - not just as 'socialisation projects' for adults. This approach tries to see things from the child's point of view - favoured by child liberationists.
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Pilcher Perspective
Clear separation between child and adult, e.g. laws on schooling and employment. Childhood as a 'golden age' of happiness and innocence.
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Pilcher Evaluation
Cross cultural studies shows that is not the case in all societies
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Benedict Perspective
Cross-cultural differences in childhood Children in developing countries treat this children differently, they take responsibility at an early age Less concern regarding obedience to adults Sexual behaviour viewed differently.
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Benedict Evaluation
Many studies are very dated. There is an argument that we are now seeing a globalisation of western childhood, humanitarian and aid agencies are exporting western norms of what childhood should be, e.g. campaigning against child labour.
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Postman Perspective
Argues the rise of TV means that the information hierarchy is no longer there and children can access the same things as adults - they loose their innocence.
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Postman Evaluation
Postman over-emphasises a single cause - TV - may be other factors Opie (1993) argues childhood is not disappearing - still evidence of a separated childhood culture, e.g. games and songs
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Jenks (2005) perspective
Childhood in postmodernity Argues childhood will continue as a separate status. Due to an uncertain postmodern world and increase in adult relationships breaking down, adults reply on their children for stability of identity.
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Jenks Evaluation
Based on a small unrepresentative study and is guilty of over-generalising, not all families are breaking down.
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Aries (1960) Shorter (1975) - Perspective
Position of children steadily improved over the past few centuries - now more values ,cared for, protected, educated and healthier. Society is child-centred.
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Aries (1960) Shorter (1975) - Evaluation
Palmer (2010) disagrees and argues children are now experiencing a toxic childhood. Technological and cultural changes (junk food, TV, education) led to physical, emotional and intellectual damage. Conflict view argues there are inequalities among ch
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Smart - Perspective
Children are active agents in creating their own childhood, e.g. defining who they see as 'family'
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Smart - Evaluation
Draws attention to the fact that children often lack power in relation to adults.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Where something is created by social processes, rather than simply occurring naturally.

Back

Social construction

Card 3

Front

Aries (1960) argues the social construction of childhood has led to a world that is obsessed with childhood

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Aries (1960) and Shorter (1975) argue the position of childhood has improved and that children are better cared for, protected and educated and enjoy better health and have more rights than previous generations

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Number of infants who die before their first birtday per thousand live births per year.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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