2. Childhood

3. Definition ‘A State, which is both socially, and biologically constructed’ The period of time where a person has not yet reached adult status

4. Arguments Arguments as to whether it is biologically constructed or socially constructed Arguments as to whether it is historically constructed or not Arguments that childhood is culturally specific

5. Biologically Functionalists argue that childhood should be explained in a biological sense Children have and always will be passive

6. Socially Constructed Interactionist argue that society makes up our idea of childhood Childhood is dependent on time and culture you are in Types of acceptable behaviour, length and how children should be treated are all evidence of this

7. Historical Arguments Aries ’62 – childhood did not exist in medieval Europe Used diaries, letters, other documents and paintings of the time to emphasis this Children were depicted as little adults, involved in adult activities such as sex, fighting and work

8. Aries Cont…………… The emergence of the modern child: Began in 16 th century with Upper Classes and education Working classes still involved in child labour Early industrialisation saw children in factories etc 19 th century introduction of various laws stopped this

9. Fletcher Introduction of laws stopped children being treated as adults Factory Acts prevented children from a certain age working Education Acts ensured children up to a certain age were educated 20 th century childhood now applies to all classes

10. Always been around Pollack – used diaries between 16 th and 20 th century. Found childhood did exist because children were subject to physical and emotional abuse Cunningham – Renaissance art portrayed children as innocents Functionalists and Psychologists – mental and physical developments should play a key part

11. Contemporary Cross-Cultural Differences Eidenstadt: Childhood is socially constructed and therefore culturally specific Bilton – childhood is experienced differently in the Western world compared to the East. Western world has childhood, Eastern world still sees children working in factories

12. Evidence Cont…. Malinowski – Trobriand Island children are much freer sexually Turnbull – The Mountain People similar to Ik tribe, children could survive even when abandoned Firth – Tikopia Island Tribe – carried out dangerous tasks when they/adults felt they were ready

13. Decline of Childhood? Lee – 20 th century notion of childhood was that of unstable and incomplete humans. Move to 21 st century no longer complete when we reach adulthood, still sense of uncertainty Adults are becoming more like children Children have increased rights – children have more say over what happens to them

14. Postman Notion of childhood has disappeared Childhood can only occur if they are separated from adults Merging of roles, children have rights, access to same levels of media Boundaries have blurred

15. Childhood is still here Childhood is a long way from disappearing Now a major economic force – clothes, toys, food etc Buckingham – children have a major say on what is produced and purchased Lee – not disappeared become more complex and ambiguous Although can have a say what they want, they are still dependent on parents purchasing power