childhood

• Childhood as a social construct


  Childhood varies...

  • between societies (cross cultural differences)
  • between class
  • and historically (overtime)
• Social constructionism - childhood is not an innate stage but rather socially constructed
• Jane Pilcher(1995)

  • 'Separateness'- childhood is a clear and distinct life stage, children occupy a separate status from adults
  • emphasised through: differences in dressing, services like play areas, and products like toys and books
  • childhood is a 'golden age' of happiness and innocence so children are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection