Who was aries?
•childhood didnt exist in medival europe •as soon as they are weaned, become little adults •worked with and behaved like adults
What did aries say children were seen as?
"little adults", expected to work as soon as capable
When did clarke (2003) say childhood was invented?
between 1600 and 20th century
Aries - how were children treated pre-industrial revolution?
as soon as no longer physically dependant on parents (7) they were treated like adults different concept of age people seen in terms of physical appearance not age
What did aries base is pre industrial research on
paintings of children above the age of 7 were shown in small adult clothing and serious adult like facial expression
What caused the emergence of childhood?
end of 19th century, compulsory state education development of childhood specialists
What did aries say on the emergence of childhood?
biggest change during 17th century
privacy became the norm, people paid more attention to children
become child centered
What did clarke suggest on the emergence of childhood?
a middle-class model became popular based on the idea of self-contained families led by a strong father organised around the proper upbringing of children
What are the criticisms of Aries?
overstating his argument, e.g. laws prohibiting marriage for under 12 Wilson - childhood did exist, it was just different, applied our modern view of childhood to a different era pollock - uses limited and selective sources of evidence
Who was edward shorter?
uses wider range of evidence to show emergence of childhood
According to edward shorter, what three reasons caused the emergence of childhood?
romantic love developed and children were a product of that rousseau - children were born good and would become successful adults if socialised properly new ideas circulated on how to raise children
Who was postman (1982)
childhood developed through technological changes
What was postmans argument for the disappearence of childhood?
growth of technology, nothing was hidden from children social blurring
What was Brooks (2001) criticism of postman?
parents are more obsessed with child safety adults take more control over children parents set stricter boundaries
What is toxic childhood?
Sue palmer technological and cultural changes are harming children parents spend less time with kids, use tech to occupy them no longer child centered deprived of traditional family life
What is the march of progress view?
westen societies, position of children is improving
What is child centerdness?
parents invest a great deal into their children both emotionally and financially
What is the conflict view?
marxists + feminists march of progress ignore inequalities between children and between children and adults
What is childhood scene as?
A social construct it isnt biological, its shaped by society behaviour considered appropriate, how children should be treated, length of childhood
What is a social construct?
something created by society, constructed from social meaning and definition
Who says childhood is biological?
wyness (2006)
Why is childhood considered biological?
physical and mental immaturity childhood should be the same everywhere prout and james - dominant framework
What challenges the dominant framework
learned through socialisation child soldiers, cultural variations within childhood Aries - what children experience today is a social intervention
What is the evidence for childhood being socially constructed
different status, responsibilities between cultures e.g. child soldiers
What is the westen notion of childhood?
special time physically and physicologically immature protected and nurtured
middle ages childhood
childhood didnt exist mini adults
modern notion of childhood
schools specialised in educating the young
How has childhood improved over the years?
•families have become more child centered - family outings and activites are more focused on children, more time spent with children
•improved welfare state support - introduction of child specialists e.g. paediatric doctors
•children have compulsory education - results in better educational and job opportunities, no longer working in factories