A critical
understanding of
policy practice and
service
Changing concepts of what
childhood means
The end of
childhood
Ideas about childhood:-17th century's
apprentinceship, 18th c's enlightment
fundamental innocence, children
seen as people in their own right, 19th
c.protection,learner, 20th c.future
prosperity and wellbeing of nations
photographs reflects
changes in social attitudes
Social
constructionism: knowledge
and culture (such as what is
the difference between
childhood and adulthood) is
produced through language
and discourse
Language and discourse vary across time
and space:So ideas about childhood as
distinct from adulthood are not fixed
the language we use actively
constructs and produces the social
world in which we live.
gender,skin tone, ethnicity,age
can attain a taken for granted status,
reinforced by that eras legislation and
policy, prevailing cultural values and
societal expectations of men and women,
children and adults
transition to
adulthood
often marked by
physiological changes,
several dominant constructions of
children and young people in which
they are seen as apprentices, separate
from adults, innocent and in need of
protection but as part of 'our future'.
The way in which we see and
understand children and young people
has an impact on how we treat them,
care for them and work with them
meanings and identities are
co-constructed in culturally
diverse societies
Social ecological theory :Brofennbrenner
families have
changed and continue
to change
Ronaldo, nuclear family,
extended family, same gender families
ideas about mothers’ and fathers’ roles
have differed
quality of parenting
Supporting
parenting
respond to diversity in parenting within
practice and assessment
Changes in the economy, and society more
generally, have accompanied significant
changes in family life through the twentieth
and into the twenty-first century
working mothers, better
education, higher incomes
families are seen as fundamental to a
society, and families are therefore a
focus of public concern and social policy
it isn’t necessarily what a family looks like but
what happens within
biological or genetic ties are often seen to be
important have a powerful impact on how
children, young people and adults perceive
their families
give us a sense of belonging to a place and
continuity with the past.
Understanding the importance of ‘roots’ to
identity is important in working with
children and young people who feel
dislocated from their family and its history
Young carers:children and young people
[under 18] who provide or intend to provide
a substantial amount of care on a regular
basis
can be reluctant to disclose their
situation
family form does not necessarily
determine whether a family is a safe
or a hazardous space for children
working with the whole family,
particularly the parents, is a crucial
part of caring for children and young
people
important that practitioners are
able to assess families where there
are difficulties and respond
appropriately
The surveillance of
children, young people and
families
not power neutral
children and young people are
monitored in relation to their
general development, their
behaviour and activities, their
health status and their educational
attainment
early (possibly even
antenatal) intervention
when practitioners can intervene
in families lives, and the duties that
they owe