childhood

• sociologists see childhood as something created in other ways, as something created and defined by society they argue that what people mean by childhood and the position of children occupy in society, is not fixed but differs between different times, places and cultures
• jane pilcher (1995) - notes the most important features of the modern idea of childhood is separateness
• childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children in our society occupy a separate status from adults
• cross cultural ruth benidict (1934)

  non industrial simple society

  • harder working
  • less emphasis on bedtime
  • sexual behaviours are different
• cunnigham : children are the opposite of adults