the disappearance of childhood

changing positions

many sociologists argue that the position of children in contemporary society is vastly improved from what it was in the past, while other sociologists argue that it has worsened

Postman

insists that advertising and sexualisation have led to the disappearance of childhood

functionalist consensus

functionalists argue society is adapting a march of progress towards a more harmonious society that functions to the benefit of all

they believe that introduction of compulsory education and the move towards a more child-centred approach is an improvement

the lives of children have improved greatly in comparison to the past, with better healthcare leading to a lower infant mortality, more nutritious diets and laws that protects the rights of children

marxist and feminist conflict theories

Marxists and feminists argue that the march of progress view conceals the underlying power of inequalities, conflict and problems that children face

they are substantial inequalities between children based on CGE

inequality

legal constraints placed on kids means they lack the same legal rights as other groups

Marxists and feminists would argue that this is a form of social control that undermines their independence and make them dependent of adults

kids are unequal to adults so are oppressed by them

dependence of adults leaves kids open to abuse by them, particularly in the home

UNICEF

Britain’s children are some of the unhappiest in the western world according to UNICEF who found UK children are more prone to poor physical and mental health, school failure and dysfunctional relationships with parents and peers

Postman

argues the distinction between adults and kids is weakening and that there is a merging of tastes, styles and experiences that once separated these life stages

kids are no longer sheltered from adult experiences and knowledge due to the growth of global media, especially on the internet

adult themes

this exposure to adult themes e.g. sex, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, leads to kids committing more adult crimes, leading to the erosion of cultural divisions between childhood and adulthood

Cunningham

argues that parental authority has been undermined because kids are getting pocket money or earning it through part-time work

Margo

the access that children now have to advertising is unprecedented, transforming them into consumers who demand access to the adult world earlier

Palmer

suggests that, because they’re working longer hours, parents are becoming more reliant on tech e.g. TV and computer to keep children occupied

he argues that this dependency on tech results in toxic childhood syndrome where children are being deprived of a proper childhood

changes

other sociologists argue that childhood, rather than disappearing, is simply changing

childhood culture continues to thrive, but is more independent from adults, which means that parents are less able to manage childhood

the internet

provides children with a range of knowledge and imagery that parents aren’t necessarily aware of, creating a new childhood culture beyond the limits of adults

consumerism

consumer markets create and feed childhood culture and children are still financially dependent on their parents

child rights

western views of children spread via globalisation, with growing opposition to child labour, the use of child soldiers and the abuse and neglect of street children