Childhood

Created by

Samuel Bulmer

Cards (6)

Childhood is disappearing - Postman:
Children grow up very quickly
In the past childhood was a time of innocence because only adults could access information on sex, violence, money and death etc
Modern Media allows everyone to access this information - blurring the distinction between children and adults
The blurring of life stages is also causing the disappearance of adulthood
Childhood is changing - Jenks:
In postmodern society family relationships are insecure and unstable
Parent - child relationships are the only certainty
Parents focus on their relationships with their child and become fearful for their children's society
Children are seen as vulnerable resulting in more surveillance and regulation of their lives
Childhood is improving - March of Progress:
Children today are more valued, cared for, protected, educated and enjoy more rights than previous generations
Families have become child centred - parents invest more time in them than ever before, financially and emotionally
Giddens - Children should be able to answer back
Average child has $1700 worth of toys
Parents spend more time with kids - 25 min per day in 1975. 99 min per day in 2001
Childhood is toxic - Palmer:
Rapid technological and cultural changes have damaged children's physical, emotional and intellectual development
Causes = Diet, lack of play, lack of sleep, changes in education, phone culture, changes in parenting
Consequences =
-Poor attention, listening and language
-Increased autism diagnosis
-Poor mental health
Evaluation - Opie:
Childhood is still a distinct stage - financially and culturally
Childhood as a protected status is spreading (via globalisation) not disappearing
Personal life perspective - Smart:
Children are active agents who create their own childhood
E.g. they choose their own definitions of family and are involved in decisions after divorce
There are multiple childhoods that exist in society - It must be considered from each child's perspective