Western Society

• What is the evidence of childhood being a social construct?

  -Childhood differs, so how could it be a universal and natural concept?

  -Childhood differs due to:

  • Historical differences
  • Cultural Differences
• what is the evidence for childhood being a social construct? - in a western society

  • Children are physically and psychologically immature and not yet competent to run their own lives, and need a long period of nurturing & socialisation.
  • Childhood is the ‘golden age’ as children represent happiness and innocence, though this also means they are also vulnerable and require protection.
  • Therefore, children are quarantined from the dangerous adult world, living most of their lives either with their family or in education, they lead a life of leisure and play and are excluded from paid work.
• What are parental attitudes to Childhood in a Western society?

  • For many people, having children is something all want to achieve in life, to parents, children are their absolute world.
  • Parents put significant financial and emotional investment in their child and their whole lives revolve around their children.
• What are the evaluation points for childhood in western society?

  • There is no straightforward line which separates childhood from adulthood, children have to stay in a form of education until 18 and cant buy alcohol of cigarettes (though they can smoke from 16) they can also use a sun-bed from 16.
  • The age of consent is also 16 and they can drive from 17, they also must accept criminal responsibility from 10, and people be sent to a full adult prison until 25.
  • So at what age do we think that people become adults?