Childhood - Sociologists see childhood as socially constructed - created and defined by society.

Modern Western Notion of Childhood
1. There's a belief that children's lack of skills, knowledge and experience means that they need a lengthy protected period of nurturing and socialisation before they're ready for adulthood
2. Pilcher- the most important feature of the modern idea of childhood is separateness,
  1. Childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children in our society occupy a separate status from adults
Cross Cultural Differences in Childhood
1. Benedict - argues that children are generally treated differently from their modern western counterparts in three ways:
  1. They take responsibility at an early age
  2. Less value is placed on children showing obedience to adult authority
  3. Children's sexual behaviour is often viewed differently
Historical Differences in Childhood
1. Aries argues that in the Midle- Ages, the idea of childhood didn't exist.- Children were not seen as having different 'nature' or needs from adults
  1. Aries says that childhood gradually began to emerge from the 13th century onwards
    1. Schools came to specialise purely in the education of the young
    2. There was a growing distinction between children's and adults clothing
    3. By the 18th century, handbooks on childbearing were widely available
    4. Aries describes the 20th century as the 'century of the child' - some sociologists have criticised Aries for arguing that childhood didn't exist in the past
      1. Pollock argues that it's more correct to say that in the Middle Ages, society had a different notion of childhood from today's.
Reasons for Changes in the Position of Children
1. Laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work - children became an economic liability (depends on parents)
2. Compulsory schooling in 1880 had a similar effect, especially for the children of the poorer class
3. Child protection and welfare legislation
4. Declining family size and lower infant mortality rates
Has the Position of Children Improved?
1. Important differences between childhood in western societies today as compared with both present day, Third world countries and european societies in the past.
March of Progress View
1. Argue that over the past few centuries, the position of children in western societies has been steadily improving and today's better than it has ever been
2. Aries and Shorter hold a 'March of Progress' view and argue that today's children are more valued, better cared for, protected and educated, enjoy better health and have more rights than previous generations
Conflict View
1. (Marxists and feminists) argue that society is based on a conflict between different social groups e.g. social classes or genders
2. Argue that March of Progress view of modern childhood is based on a false and idealised image that ignores important inequalities
  1. Inequalities among children - opportunities and risks they face
  2. Inequalities between children and adults - children experience greater control over adults

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Childhood - Sociologists see childhood as socially constructed - created and defined by society.

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