Families and Households 6

What does Pilcher argue?

Childhood is separate as they are protected

What does Aries argue?

Childhood is a social construct as historical portraits show them dressed as adults

What is a criticism of Aries?

Pollock argues that he generalises and the children were just dressed up

What does Shorter argue?

Societies have become child centred

How is society child centred?

• Time and money spent on children

• Legislation

How does Gittens evaluate the child centred society?

Adults force children to be dependent on them (age patriarchy)

What do Hockey and James argue?

Childhood is oppressive so children resist it by acting up or down

How is the liberationist view of childhood (Gittens and Hockey and James) evaluated?

Children can’t make rational decisions so must be regulated

Who argues the toxic childhood?

Palmer

What is toxic childhood?

Rapid changes have damaged children’s development

What are the features of toxic childhood?

• Technological change

• Increased junk food

• Focus on testing in school

• Intensive marketing to children

What is a criticism of toxic childhood?

First world problems - the real toxic childhood is with children in sweatshops

Who argues Paranoid Parenting?

Furedi

What is Paranoid Parenting?

Media makes parents worried they are parenting wrong

What is an example of paranoid parenting?

Children’s independent outdoor activities restricted

Who argues childhood is disappearing?

Postman

Why is childhood disappearing according to Postman?

Children can find adult topics in the media easily leading to social blurring

What is a criticism of Postman?

Opie - children are partaking in childlike activities in different forms

What does Jenks argue?

• Childhood is changing

• Adults are depending on children as other relationships are unstable

What is a criticism of Jenks?

Lack of evidence

What does Womack argue?

Children is only toxic and disappearing for the poor

What did Brannen find?

Asian parents are stricter with girls

What does Hillman (et al) argue?

Boys could stay out after dark, cross roads, and travel accompanied before girls

What does Bonke argue?

More expectation for girls to perform chores

What do McRobbie and Garber argue?

Bedroom culture - girls socialise inside and boys are encourage to go outside

What does Mayall argue?

Children viewed as socialisation projects parents can mould