Childhood

• What did Pilcher theorise ?

  Concept of separateness

  Sees childhood as the “Golden Age”
• What did Wagg argue ?

  Childhood is a social construct

  Other cultures may not see children as westerns view them
• What are the two main studies on cross cultural differences in childhood ?

  Punch - study in rural Bolivia

  Malinowski - Trobriand Islanders
• What is the Globalisation of Western Childhood ?

  western norms being emphasised around the world

  Example : seeing children as vulnerable
• Who are the 2 main sociologists for historical differences in childhood ?

  Aries

  Shorter
• What did Aries argue ?

  Childhood did not exist in the Middle Ages

  Used paintings , letters and documentaries to prove this

  Unable to differentiate between children and adults

  Considered “ Mini Adults “
• What did Shorter argue ?

  Parental attitudes towards children were different in the past

  Example : children would be called “ it “

  High death rates encouraged neglect from parents
• What is the Modern Cult of Childhood ?

  Ideas of childhood emerging in the 13th century

  Through : schooling , clothing …

  20th century is now obsessed with childhood
• What did Pollock argue ?

  Society had a different notion of childhood , not that it did not exist
• Reasons for changes in the position of children

  Laws protecting children

  Decline of family size

  Medical Knowledge

  Compulsory schooling

  Laws against child labour
• Future of Childhood - Postman

  Childhood is disappearing

  Information Hierarchy - children now have access to the same things as adults

  So , no hierarchal authority

  Happened because of television
• What does Opie argue ?

  Childhood is not disappearing
• Jenks and Post - Modernity

  Childhood is not disappearing , it is changing

  Because of our diverse and fragmented society , relationships are becoming unstable

  Generates feelings of insecurity where children become a source of stability for parents

  Adults become even more fearful , protecting their children at all costs
• According to MoP sociologists , has the position of children improved ?

  Yes

  Aries and Shorter - children are more valued now than in the past

  Argues the family has become child - centred

  Parents invest in their children emotionally and financially
• What does Palmer say about toxic childhood ?

  UK is at the top of league tables for obesity , drug abuse and violence

  Argues this happened because of rapid technological advancement

  Has damaged children emotionally and intelectually
• What is the conflict view theorising that the position of children has not improved ?

  Inequality amongst children

  Example : children of unskilled workers are 3x more likely to suffer from hyperactivity.

  Inequality between children and adults

  Example :

  control over children’s time

  neglect and abuse

  control over childrens bodies

  control over children’s space

  Access to resources
• What do Firestone and Holt argue ?

  What March of progress sociologists see as protection is in reality oppression
• What is Age Patriarchy according to Gittins ?

  Based on adult domination and child dependency
• What are two ways children can resist age patriarchy ?

  Acting down = acting infantile

  Acting up = acting older
• What is the New Sociology of Childhood ?

  Sees children as creating their own childhood

  Sees their experiences through their own viewpoints
• What did Smart find ?

  Children going through a divorce would try to make the situation better