Childhood As A Social Construction

Front 1

Jane Pilcher

Back 1

The most important feature of the modern idea of childhood is seperatness. Childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage and children in our society occuy a sperate status from adults.

Front 2

Stephen Wagg

Back 2

Childhood is universal.

Front 3

Ruth Benedict

Back 3

Argues that children in simple, non-industrial societies are generally treated differently from their modern countparts (chidhood not fixed and cannot be found universely) in 3 ways:

1) Respsonsiblity from an early age
2) Less value placed on obedience. (Raymond Flinch found that among Tikopia)
3) Children's sexual behaviour veiwed differently. (Trobriand Islanders)

Front 4

Philippe Aries

Back 4

Argues that in the middle ages 'childhood did not exist'. Children were not seen as having a different 'nature' to adults.

Elements of the modern notion of chlidhood began to emerge from the 13th century onwards.
- Schooling
- Differences in childrens clothing
- Handbooks on childrearing

Front 5

Edward Shorter

Back 5

Argues that high death rates enouraged indifference and neglect, especially towards infants.

Front 6

Linda Pollock

Back 6

Critizises Aries, Pollock argues that it is is more correct to say that in the Middle Ages society simoply had a differnet notion of childhood from todays.