1. Age Youth Childhood Adulthood Old age Socially Constructed
Early Childhood

2. 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?
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3. 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
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4. Adulthood
Adulthood is not considered as a separate stage because sociology has identified major differences during adulthood that must be analysed separately.
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5. 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.
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6. 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
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7. 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
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