Age Youth Childhood Adulthood Old age Socially Constructed Early Childhood

Childhood Childhood is the stage in which Primary socialisation occurs. I.e. we learn language; norms; rules; ideas... This is when we are first introduced to a society / culture. Childhood has changed a lot over the years – How? Back

Youth It has dramatically changed They are more open to the access of things that are meant for adults on the internet Sexual relationships are occurring at younger ages Teenage pregnancy rates are higher Children are more protected e.g. Child Protection Act Jobs are becoming available for children at a younger age Back

Adulthood Adulthood is not considered as a separate stage because sociology has identified major differences during adulthood that must be analysed separately. Back

Old age In different societies it is considered in different ways In tribal societies it is considered very high status. Because the old are seen to have more wisdom and because they have had a longer life. Thus they have had more life experience. In other societies though it is considered as a burden to be old. Back

Early Childhood Occurred in the time period after industrialisation They were treated as young adults There wasn’t a lot of primary socialisation because poor children often became ill at a younger age As soon as some were able to walk they were expected to work They had a lot of freedom Back

Socially constructed Sociologists believe that our societies are socially constructed and as we grow older we become part of different social groups. All of these are present in society even though they are perceived differently across cultures Back