Childhood

Childhood as a social construct

Sociologists argue that childhood is a social construct as the position of children within society can vary between times and cultures.

Cultural differences in childhood

In Western society, childhood is seen as a distinct life stage where children are considered vulnerable and have a different status to adults. For instance, this is emphasised by the fact that there are different laws for adults and children and differences in the clothing worn by young children and adults.

However, this view of childhood is not universal as different cultures view the nature of childhood in different ways as some other cultures don't see a large difference between the nature of children and adults.

· For instance, children take responsibility at an early age. Punch - Children in Bolivia take work responsibilities in the home and local community without hesitation at 5 years old

Historical differences in childhood

Aries in the Middle Ages, the idea of childhood didn't exist as children were not seen as having different needs from adults. They had the same rights and faced the same punishments as adults if they broke the law.

This suggests that the idea of childhood is socially constructed as ideas about children and their position in society have changed over time.

The future of childhood

Postman – childhood is disappearing. For instance, there is now a growing similarity between children's and adults' clothing and some children are committing 'adult' crimes such as murder

Evaluation:

Jenks – Is critical of this view, arguing that childhood is not disappearing, but is just changing. He argues that childhood is changing as society moves from modernity to postmodernity. For example, divorce becomes much more common which generates feelings of insecurity. As a result, parents' relationships with their children become more important as it can help to provide stability.

Evaluation:

Despite the greater diversity of family patterns, Jenks is overgeneralising.

Improvements in the position of children

There has been a march of progress as nowadays children are more valued, and better protected from exploitation and more educated.

1. There has been a march of progress through the implementation of laws restricting child labour. Due to this march of progress, children today are protected from harm and exploitation by laws against child abuse and child labour, along with having access to healthcare.

Evaluation:

Marxists and feminists that the march of progress view of childhood ignores important inequalities.

Postmodernists that progress isn't being made equally across different groups as there are inequalities among children, in terms of their opportunities and risks they face as many are badly cared for. Thus, the changes made may be being over-exaggerated

2. There has also been an introduction of compulsory schooling. This changed the status of children, allowing them to gain an education which gives them a better chance of having a good job in the future.

Evaluation:

Marxists - Factors such as the introduction of compulsory schooling ultimately just prepares children for a life of exploitation in the capitalist system, for example through the hidden curriculum. Thus, march of progress sociologists ignore the continued existence of exploitation and therefore Marxists argue that progress isn't being made at all