Childhood

Childhood

1. Aries (1979)

   • childhood is a social construct
   • miniature adults - treated equally to adults
     • not perceived to be different
       • named 'children' instead of 'babies'
   • created life stage as response to socio-economical things during revolution
     • reinforced by compulsory state schooling

2. Morrow (2011)

   • adults constructed different world for children
     • provide and support
       • schools and other benefits
   • children understood as learners

3. Watts (1973)

   • child is a "candidate for humanity"
     • child is conditioned
     • adults prepare the child's life

4. Scruton (1997)

   • social perception
     • innocent, naive, vulnerable, ignorant, undisciplined
   • social constraint
     • adults say what children can/cannot do
       • safe from harm
   • social oppression
     • childhood experiences reconstructed by adults
       • power = responsiblitiy
       • control = care
       • regulatoion = protection

5. Childhood Theory

   • when children step outside 'normal' perceptions of childhood, chaos erupts

6. Adults' role

   • keep order through power
   • define boundaries
   • construct child's life
     • children dependent on what they need
   • direct children to obey
   • oppress to limit space

7. Gender

   • seems natural due to constant interaction with it
     • children's cartoons - words match visuals
       • Bob the Builder
         • less female representation
       • Winx Club
         • sexualisation
       • gender stereotypes
   • Barbie/Ken dolls
     • unrealistic physical apearance
       • obsession with changing clothes
         • lifestyle