Childhood (AQA A Level Sociology): Flashcards
Exam code: 7192
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Define social construction of childhood.
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Cards in this collection (34)
Define social construction of childhood.
The social construction of childhood is the idea that childhood is shaped by society and varies across cultures and time, rather than being a fixed biological stage.
What does Wagg (1992) argue about childhood?
Wagg argues that childhood is not universal: in some cultures it does not exist as a separate stage.
How does Pilcher (1995) describe childhood in modern Western societies?
Pilcher describes childhood as a distinct and separate stage from adulthood.
True or False?
In Western cultures, children are viewed as economically independent of adults.
False.
Western children are seen as economically dependent on adults and largely excluded from paid employment.
What did Punch (2001) find about children in rural Bolivia?
Punch found that children as young as five were expected to contribute to work in the home and community.
Firth (1970) found that among the Tikopia, obedience is .................... rather than automatically granted on the basis of age.
Firth (1970) found that among the Tikopia, obedience is earned rather than automatically granted on the basis of age.
What did Holmes (1974) find in a Samoan village?
Holmes found that children were rarely excluded from work for being 'too young', as age was not seen as a barrier.
What evidence did Ariès use to study childhood in the past?
Ariès analysed medieval artwork to argue that childhood as we understand it did not exist.
True or False?
Ariès argued that medieval children were treated as a separate group from adults.
False.
Ariès argued that children were seen as mini adults, with no legal or social distinctions and the same punishments as adults.
How did high child mortality affect parents, according to Shorter (1975)?
Shorter argued that high child mortality led parents to show emotional detachment or neglect, e.g. naming a child after a dead sibling.
Define child-centred society.
A child-centred society is one in which families and society prioritise children's wellbeing, education and protection.
How did compulsory education change childhood?
Compulsory education extended childhood as a period of dependency, especially for working-class children.
What did the Children Act (1989) do?
The Children Act (1989) placed children's welfare at the centre of service provision.
Falling birth rates mean parents now invest more emotionally and ...................... in each child.
Falling birth rates mean parents now invest more emotionally and financially in each child.
Why did industrialisation lead to compulsory schooling?
Industrialisation led to compulsory schooling because the economy required a more educated workforce.
Why is the global spread of Western childhood criticised?
It is criticised as a form of cultural imperialism that imposes Western definitions of childhood on non-Western societies.
Why does Postman (1994) argue childhood is disappearing?
Postman (1994) argues childhood is disappearing because television and digital media give children easy access to adult content, blurring the boundary between childhood and adulthood.
Define information hierarchy.
The information hierarchy is Postman's idea that in the past adults controlled access to knowledge through the printed word, which children could not read.
Why does Jenks (2005) argue childhood is becoming more protected?
Jenks (2005) argues childhood is becoming more protected because as adult relationships become unstable, children become a source of security and identity for adults.
True or False?
Opie (1993) found that children no longer have a distinct culture of their own.
False.
Opie found that children still enjoy a distinct culture of games, songs and rhymes, so childhood is far from disappearing.
Why is Postman criticised for an overemphasis on one factor?
Postman is criticised for an overemphasis on one factor because he focuses solely on media, ignoring factors such as parental neglect (Palmer, 2007) and liberal parenting (Phillips, 1997).
What does the march of progress view argue about childhood?
The march of progress view, supported by Ariès and Shorter, argues that childhood today is the best it has ever been, as society is more child-centred.
March of progress writers argue that children are now the ................ point of family life.
March of progress writers argue that children are now the focal point of family life.
Define toxic childhood.
Toxic childhood is Palmer's (2007) idea that rapid technological and cultural changes, such as junk food and aggressive marketing, are harming children's development.
What do conflict sociologists argue shapes children's experiences?
Conflict sociologists argue that childhood is shaped by inequalities of class, gender and ethnicity.
What did Hillman (1993) find about boys and girls?
Hillman found that boys are granted more freedom than girls, e.g. to use public transport or go out after dark.
Define bedroom culture.
Bedroom culture is McRobbie and Garber's (1976) term for how girls are socialised into staying indoors while boys are encouraged to go out.
How can izzat affect girls in Asian families, according to Bhatti (1999)?
Bhatti argues that izzat, or family honour, can place additional restrictions on girls' behaviour.
How does Firestone (1979) reinterpret the 'protection' of children?
Firestone argues that 'protection' is often a form of control, making children economically dependent and powerless.
Define age patriarchy.
Age patriarchy is Gittins' (1998) term for adult domination over children.
True or False?
Gittins (1998) argues that adults control children's time but not their bodies.
False.
Gittins argues that adults control children's space, time, bodies and resources, e.g. deciding how they dress.
What does Mayall (2004) argue sociologists should do?
Mayall argues that sociologists should study childhood in its own right, not just as preparation for adulthood.
What did Mason and Tipper (2008) find about how children define family?
Mason and Tipper found that children decide who counts as family, sometimes including step-parents, friends or even pets.
The action approach sees socialisation as a ...................... process in which adults and children learn from each other.
The action approach sees socialisation as a two-way process in which adults and children learn from each other.
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