Childhood

• In a nutshell


  Some sociologists argue that the position of children in society has significantly improved due to the introduction of laws that protect children's rights. However, some sociologists believe childhood has turned ‘toxic’ due to rapid technological and cultural change.
• CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD OVER TIME - Aries


  In the middle ages, the idea of childhood did not exist. Children had the same responsibilities, rights and skills as adults - in turn, they were considered economic assets. However, as the modern notion of childhood began to emerge, there became a profound distinction between children in adults in terms of clothing, rights and responsibilities.
• CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD OVER TIME - Postman

  In modern society, childhood is ‘disappearing’.  Children and adults have some of the same rights, children's unsupervised traditional games are disappearing, children are committing ‘adult’ crimes. The printed word created a hierarchy between adults, who can read, and children, who cannot - this gave adults the power to keep ‘adult matters’ private. However, TV blurs the distinction and information hierarchy; TV does not require special skills to access it.
• CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD OVER TIME - Shorter


  In the middle ages, the high death rate of children encouraged indifference and neglect. For example, parents referred to their child as “it” or gave the child a name of a recently dead sibling.
• HAS CHILDHOOD IMPROVED? - March of Progress View


  Childhood has improved  significantly, due to how children are now perceived as vulnerable people who need taking care of. In addition, there has been an introduction of laws which improve the experience of childhood (Eg. laws banning child labour).
• HAS CHILDHOOD IMPROVED? - Palmer


  ‘Toxic childhood’ - Rapid technological and cultural changes have damaged children’s physical, emotional and intellectual development. This is the result of intensive marketing to children, parents working long hours and testing in education.
• HAS CHILDHOOD IMPROVED? - Gittins

   ‘Age patriarchy’ - There is an age patriarchy of adult domination and child dependency.  This may assert itself in the form of violence against children.
• Jens Bonke


  studied children’s housework, looking for any differences in contributions between girls and boys.

  Results show that boys contributed less towards household chores than girls, especially in lone-parent families where they contribute five times more than their male counterparts.

  This suggests that gender and class are both factors at play.
• Judith Ennew


  Judith Ennew argues that some children’s experiences of childhood are very different from those living in the western world.

  She found wide variations in terms of factors such as work, living conditions and sexual exploitation.
• Cunningham


  Cunningham argues that parental authority has been undermined because children are getting pocket money or earning it through part-time work.
• Consumerism - Margo


  According to Margo, the access that children now have to advertising is unprecedented, transforming them into consumers who demand access to the adult world earlier.
• Child abuse - Womack and Bowes et al


  Womack’s study found that 31% of children are exposed to sibling abuse.

  Bowes et al suggests that the risk of developing depression and anxiety was doubled for child victims of sibling bullying.