18 th November 2010 So far we’ve considered: How childhood is socially constructed. How does it differ from society to society or across history? Has the position of children improved? Has it got better? Has it got worse? In what ways? Why? Today we’ll consider: Is childhood as we know it in Western society disappearing?

Reconstructing the main arguments Neil Postman (1994) Disappearing at a dazzling speed Middle ages – illiterate Rise of print culture – (19 th century) Television culture Criticisms?

Reconstructing the main arguments Iona Opie (1993) Childhood is not disappearing games, books, rhymes Separate childhood culture Views on Postman’s theory?

Reconstructing the main arguments Child Liberationists Oppressive Childhood is not disappearing Globalisation of Western childhood Welfare agencies Third World Preparation for life

Reconstructing the main arguments ‘Toxic Childhood’ e.g. Sue Palmer (2006) Technological and cultural changes physical, emotional and intellectual development Children’s behaviour Childhood under threat

Reconstructing the main arguments Drawing conclusions Difficult Are all children miserable? Different aspects of childhood Falling birth and death rates