Changes to Childhood over time

• Aries

  • in the middle ages, the concept of childhood did not exist
  • children had the same responsibilities, rights and skills as adults - they were considered economic assets
  • however, over the years there became a profound distinction between children and adults
  • e.g. clothing, rights and responsibilites
• Postman

  • childhood is disappearing
  • children and adults have some of the same rights
  • e.g. childen are committing 'adult' crimes
  • the printed word created a hierarchy between adults who can read and children who cannot - keeping 'adult matters' private
  • However, TV blurs that hierarchy as no special skills are needed to access it
• Shorter

  • in the middle ages, the high death rate encouraged indifference and neglect
  • e.g. parents referred to their child as 'it'