Sociology Unit 1: Childhood

Social Construction
1. created & defined by society,
2. childhood means different things in different cultures & time
Pre Industrial
1. ARIES: children were 'little adults'
2. (1960)
3. units of production-7/8 years
4. children had to work in order for family to survive
5. high level of infant mortality
6. children were punished for crimes
Post Industrialisation
1. children- attention &protection
2. people chose to have fewer children
3. the role of social services to help children at risk
Industrialisation
1. children working in mines & factories
2. infant mortality decreased as better diet and saniation
3. Middle Class began to see children as love
Modern Western Idea
1. PILCHER: most important feature is separateness
  1. childhood is seen as a distinct light stage- different from adults
2. differences are shown through dress, products & laws
3. golden age of happiness & innocence
Reasons For Changes In The Position Of Children
1. laws resticting child labour
2. compulsory schooling
3. minimum wage for drinking etc
4. declining family size

Resource summary

	Created by leahannabelle over 10 years ago