childhood as a social construct

How is childhood a social construct?

the ideas we have about childhood are created by society and the time period we are in, they are not determined by biology.

historical construct:

when two eras have different perspectives on childhood

historical examples:

• child Victorian workers who had jobs - different to modern Britain that has laws such as Factory Acts protecting children from work.

• Stone Age children looked after their own safety but now children have laws protecting them - such that it is the parents’ responsibility to look after and provide for their children.

• Great Depression children were sold by their parents but now there are policies sot prevent this from happening and to help struggling parents.

cross cultural construct:

when different countries have two different preservatives on childhood.

cross cultural examples:

• Pulch - studied children in Bolivia and found that once children hit 5 they were expected to aid in work.

• Benedict - argues that in many non industrial cultures there is little difference between expected behavior of adults and children.

• There is a globalisation of the western idea of childhood - e.g there campaigns against child labour in developing countries

Aries:

• Childhood did not exist before the 16th C.

• Once children were off of their mothers milk they were regarded as little adults working in fields or cottage industries.

• 16th C m-class children began to have a childhood

• 19th C w-class children began to have a childhood.

• The first acts to separate childhood from adulthood were factory acts.

• children are seen as having their own special needs - need their own experts and professionals e.g. child psychiatrists.