childhood as a social construct

    Cards (3)

    • What does the term 'social construct' mean?
      • something created and defined by society
      • EG) term childhood differs between: time, culture and place
    • What is meant by the modern Western Notion of Childhood?
      • children today are regarded as physically and mentally immature to run their own lives
      • this is because they lack: skills, knowledge and experience meaning they need a lengthy protected period of nurturing and socialisation before they are ready to enter adult society and responsibilities that come with it
    • What does Pilcher (1955) argue in terms of childhood being a social construct?
      • argues that the most important feature of childhood is separateness
      • childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children in today's society have a separate status from adults
      • emphasised in different ways such as: dress, laws, products and entertainment