Sociology of Childhood and Demographics Lecture

Comprehensive flashcards covering the sociology of childhood, family structures, demographic changes, and social policies as discussed in the lecture notes.

How does the transcript define a family versus a household?

A family is a group of people living together related by kinship or marriage, while a household is a single person or group of people living together regardless of whether they are related.

According to Pilcher (1995), what characterizes the 'clear and distinctive' way of life for children?

Children are seen as innocent and in need of protection, they are fundamentally different from adults, and they occupy privileged 'child-only' zones like those for toys.

What is Wagg's view on the experience of childhood?

Wagg argues that there is no universal childhood experienced by all.

In what three ways is childhood considered a social construction?

It is constructed cross-culturally (between societies), within society (based on gender, ethnicity, and class), and over time (historical differences).

According to Aries (1973), did people in the Middle Ages have a 'childhood' status?

No; excluding infancy, parents were indifferent to children (not naming them or reusing dead siblings' names), and children were viewed as 'mini-adults' with similar skills as adults.

How did the concept of childhood change in the 17th and 18th centuries?

In the 17th century, children were seen as God's creations and schools opened for their protection; by the 18th century, child-centeredness increased with more children's books.

What legal changes affected children's positions in the 20th century?

The UN 1989 Rights of a Child was established, specific laws like smoking bans were introduced, and the Children's Act defined parental duties.

According to Donzelot (1977), how did medical knowledge affect childhood?

Theories of child development stressed the importance of child protection, and the rise of child specialists led to a lower Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

How does compulsory schooling affect a child's position in society?

It increases their dependency on adults.

What cross-cultural differences in childhood are noted by Benedict and Holmes?

Benedict notes children in non-Western societies have more responsibilities, and Holmes states Samoan children are never too young to contribute.

What gender differences in childhood were identified by Hillman and Bonke?

Hillman found boys have more freedom (e.g., staying up late), while Bonke found girls do five times more domestic labor in single-parent families (SPF).

How do Bhatti and Branner describe ethnic differences in childhood?

Bhatti notes that 'Izzat' (honor) is maintained through restrictions on girls, and Branner notes that Asian parents are often strict on daughters.

What are the common outcomes of class differences in childhood?

Children of unskilled workers are more likely to suffer from hyperactivity, fall behind at school, and have different access to extracurricular activities based on social status.

What evidence supports the 'March of Progress' view of childhood?

The decreasing birth rate (from $5$ to $1.83$), the fact that children cost $227k$ before their 18th birthday, and the increase in leisure activities dedicated to kids.

What does the 'Conflict View' of childhood include?

It includes 'toxic childhood,' neglect, inequalities between children and adults, and adult control over children's space, bodies, time, and resources.

How does Gittins define 'Age Patriarchy'?

Gittins defines it as 'rule by the father,' where children are subject to domestic violence (DV) and parental fear.

In what ways do adults exercise control over children's bodies?

They dictate what children wear, how they are touched (cuddled, bathed), and control how children touch their own bodies (e.g., stopping them from sucking their thumbs).

What are the statistics regarding child neglect and abuse mentioned in the transcript?

$20k$ call Childline and $43k$ are subject to child protection plans.

What is Sue Palmer's concept of 'Toxic Childhood'?

It refers to damage to physical and mental health caused by computer games and junk food, leading to children 'parenting themselves,' short attention spans, and isolation.

What is the focus of the 'New Sociology of Childhood' according to Smart (2011)?

It focuses on hearing children's voices (e.g., their active role in divorce) and exploring how children create their own definitions of family.

According to Postman, why is childhood disappearing?

The shift from the 'Information Hierarchy' created by 19th-century literacy to 20th-century mass media (TV) means children can see 'freaky' adult content without needing to read, bringing adult and child lives closer.

What did Opie (1993) find regarding the disappearance of childhood?

Through content analysis of toys, games, and songs, Opie argued that childhood remains a distinctive stage of life.

How does Jenks (2005) interpret the modern creation of childhood?

Jenks argues childhood is used to make children productive for the workforce through conformity and protection, and it is a relationship parents 'hold onto' after divorce.

What were the changes to China's One Child Policy over time?

Implemented in the $1980s$ to combat population growth, it changed to a two-child policy in $2016$ and a three-child policy in $2021$ due to a decreasing birth rate.

How did Romania attempt to increase its birth rate?

By restricting contraception and abortion, making divorce difficult, and charging unmarried or childless couples an extra $5\%$ tax.

What are the provisions of the Abortion Act (1967)?

Abortions are no longer prosecuted if performed before $24$ weeks, approved by $2$ doctors, and if the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother.

What is the Marxist view on the family according to Friedrich Engels?

The monogamous nuclear family exists for the 'Inheritance of Private Property,' ensuring men pass property to biological offspring and keeping wealth within the family to benefit capitalism.

How does the family serve as a 'Unit of Consumption'?

Families consume bourgeoisie products, engage in 'Keeping up with the Joneses,' and children use 'Pester Power' to demand products they see in advertisements.

According to Zaretsky, how does the family perform an 'Ideological Function'?

It acts as part of the ISA (Ideological State Apparatus) by socializing children to accept hierarchy and inequality as inevitable and maintaining belief that capitalism is fair.

What was the death rate per 1,000 in 1900 compared to 2012?

The death rate was $19$ in 1900 and fell to $8.9$ in 2012.

What are the 'Diseases of Affluence' mentioned in the transcript?

Heart disease and cancer, which are trending because more people can afford to smoke, drink, and eat fast food.

What did McKeown (1972) argue about the decline in death rates?

Improved nutrition is responsible for half of the reduction in deaths from Tuberculosis (TB).

How has the dependency ratio changed in ageing populations?

The number of retired people rises each year, increasing the ratio, though the rising pension age offsets some dependency.

Why does Phillipson (1982) argue that old people are stigmatized in capitalist society?

Because society is based on productivity, and old people are viewed as an 'unproductive' burden that the state is reluctant to support.

What were the UK birth rates in 1990, 2014, and 2022?

The birth rates were $29$ in 1990, fell to $12.2$ in 2014, and dropped further to $11.3$ in 2022.

What are the three types of migrants identified by Cohen?

Citizens (full citizenship), Denizens (privileged foreign nationals welcomed by the state), and Helots (modern-day slaves or illegally trafficked labor).

What is the 'Feminisation of Migration'?

The trend where female immigrants move to take on roles based on patriarchal stereotypes, often as carers or sexual service providers, as Western women join the labor force.

Distinguish between 'Shallow Diversity' and 'Deep Diversity' in multiculturalism.

Shallow diversity is the acceptance of surface-level traits like food (e.g., Chicken Tikka Masala), while deep diversity involves traditions like arranged marriage that may challenge the host culture.