Using material from item 2B and elsewhere assess different sociological explanations of changes in the status of childhood. (24 marks)
Using material from item 2B and elsewhere assess different sociological explanations of changes in the status of childhood. (24 marks)
Childhood is socially constructed, the only reason that 'childhood' exists is because society makes it that way. Over time childhood has changed as different norms and values over each century of life have been different and are still changing today. Also in different places of the world there are different cultures and ethics so therefore their view of childhood will also be different.
The historian Philippe Aries (1960) argues that in the middle ages (about the 10th to the 13th centuries), 'the idea of childhood did not exist'. Children were not seen as having a different 'nature' or needs from the adults- atleast, not once they had passed the stage of physical dependence during infancy.
Childhood has not always been controlled in pre-industrial times; Aries argues that childhood is socially constructed and that ‘the idea of childhood did not exist’ soon after being weaned, the child entered wider society on much the same terms as an adult. Childhood has changed overtime as it says in item 2B “Aries describes a medieval world in which, if children were not actually the equal of adults, they nethertheless mixed freely with adults in work and leisure. Little distinction was drawn between children and adults.” Today we can tell “childhood” is a lot different, where the adults are more in control of the children for example they may have control on their free time, routines, games, programs etc.
The March of progress view of childhood is basically argues that over past centuries the position of children in western societies has been steadily improving and that today it is much better. The timeline is as follows that in the Middle Ages, no childhood and children were seen as economic assets. Slowly changed in pre industrialization and there was some childhood for wealthier classes but working class where still seen as mini
Childhood is socially constructed, the only reason that 'childhood' exists is because society makes it that way. Over time childhood has changed as different norms and values over each century of life have been different and are still changing today. Also in different places of the world there are different cultures and ethics so therefore their view of childhood will also be different.
The historian Philippe Aries (1960) argues that in the middle ages (about the 10th to the 13th centuries), 'the idea of childhood did not exist'. Children were not seen as having a different 'nature' or needs from the adults- atleast, not once they had passed the stage of physical dependence during infancy.
Childhood has not always been controlled in pre-industrial times; Aries argues that childhood is socially constructed and that ‘the idea of childhood did not exist’ soon after being weaned, the child entered wider society on much the same terms as an adult. Childhood has changed overtime as it says in item 2B “Aries describes a medieval world in which, if children were not actually the equal of adults, they nethertheless mixed freely with adults in work and leisure. Little distinction was drawn between children and adults.” Today we can tell “childhood” is a lot different, where the adults are more in control of the children for example they may have control on their free time, routines, games, programs etc.
The March of progress view of childhood is basically argues that over past centuries the position of children in western societies has been steadily improving and that today it is much better. The timeline is as follows that in the Middle Ages, no childhood and children were seen as economic assets. Slowly changed in pre industrialization and there was some childhood for wealthier classes but working class where still seen as mini