FAMILIES & HOUSEHOLDS - SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD

What is a 'social construction' ?

Society made it, and only exists because society believes it should, collectively created by society (e.g. law, education, gestures - waving as a friendly welcome)

What separates children and adults?

Children are regarded as physically and psychologically immature and not competent enough to run their own lives

How is childhood different for different children?

Can depend on status/wealth/area you grew up in/incomes/war torn countries

What is the legal age in the UK when you are classed as an adult?

18

What does Jane Pilcher say is the most important feature of the modern idea or childhood?

Separateness

What does this mean?

She believes that there is a very clear line between children and adults

• through how they act, what they can do, what they know

How is separateness emphasized?

Through laws - allowed, required and forbidden to do

What are other things that separate children and adults?

• how they dress

• through products/services (toys, foods, books, entertainment, play areas)

• dummies

• jobs

• body cosmetics

• bank accounts

• paying bills

• cots

How old do you to be to smoke or vape in the UK?

18

How old do you have to be to learn to drive in the UK?

17

How old do you have to be to have sex in the UK?

16

How old do you have to be to be charged with a crime in the UK?

10

How old do you have to be to vote in the UK?

18, but now 16

How old do you have to be to get married in the UK?

18 (can be younger with parental consent)

How old do you have to be to work (light) in the UK?

14

How old do you have to be to gamble in the UK?

18

What is childhood defined as in 2 words?

"golden age"

Why is it called the "golden age"?

It is an age of happiness and innocence - as children are seen as venerable and in need of protection from the adult world

What can children lives be compared to? Referring to being protected from the "darker" sides or the world?

"a bubble" of family and education

What are children excluded from that adults are not?

Jobs/work

Stephen Wagg explains that childhood is "socially constructed", what else does he say?

That each child has individual childhoods through different experiences

How is childhood differnt in 16th century England?

Children's and adults dressed very similar (this was normal then but not so now)

What does Ruth Benedict argue that children are in simpler, non-industrial societies?

Children are treated differently than children in modern western countries (they grow up quicker than others by taking on different families roles, specifically growing up quicker in war-torn countries - forced to understand)