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
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
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
Legislation:
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
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
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
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
Evaluations:
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