Childhood | Child-Centred Society

What is child-centredness?

• Over the past 50 years, the family has become less centred on adult life and more child-centred

• Child-centredness is the term given by sociologists to describe the way the family unit has become centred on the needs of children rather than the needs of adults

• This change occurred gradually over the latter part of the 20th and early 21st century

What are the reasons for a child-centred society?

• Changes to the size of the family

• Legislation

• Greater understanding of childhood

• Role of the media

• Role of capitalism

What are the changes to the size of the family?

• According to ONS cohort analysis (2012), women born in the 1930s and 1940s averaged over 2 children (2.4 and 2.1) respectively by their 30th birthday

• Women born in 1967 had 1.9 children, whilst women born in 1982 had just over 1 child at age 30

• With fewer children being born and to older parents, children are more unique in society today. 23% of population in 2019 were under the age of 19

What is leglislation?

• More legislation was introduced to protect the rights of children

• Safeguarding legislation- schools and other institutions monitor children and vulnerable adults

• Children’s Act 1989 and subsequent updates protect the rights and welfare of children

• Extension of compulsory education to 18 and removal of housing benefits for under 25s extends parents’ financial responsibility

What is a greater understanding of childhood?

• Better awareness of childhood health (paediatrics) has meant children are living into adulthood

• A better understanding of child development has highlighted the importance of having a safe and secure childhood for healthy adulthood

• Greater awareness of issues centred on childhood happiness and the importance of parenting in the 21st century

What is the role of the media?

• Parental fears about children are heightened by the media through moral panics about childhood and young adult behaviours

• Children born in the new millennium are part of a digital generation with education and social interactions including new technologies

• Children’s media focuses on the consumption of goods and marketing agencies actively target children and parents

What is the role of capitalism?

• Margo et al (2006)- markets for children’s products created focusing on all aspects of children’s lives

• Pester power is estimated to cost the average family £1,700 per year with most being spent on snacks and drinks, toys and trips out

• Clothing, food, toys and games, literature, music and subscription services are now common for children as the cost of raising a child is estimated at between £150,000 and £185,000 per year

What are the evaluations of child-centred society?

• Is the status of all children the same? Factors such as gender, class and ethnicity all impact on a child’s status in the family

• Is legislation and protection of children a form of social control? Gittens suggests the existence of an age of patriarchy

• Despite the improved status of children, Womack suggests children in the UK are unhappiest in the developed world