Childhood in Crisis?-Block 1 (unit 1)

Childhood in Crisis?-Block 1 (unit 1)

1. NOTION OF CRISIS CREATED BY;

   • Western world (ideologies)
   • Media
   • Public discourses
   • Romantic view of childhood innocence (18th century Rousseau)
   • Nostalgia of own childhood
   • Assisted by the change in thinking of children as an asset to the state to an emotional valuable being (20th century)-Cunnigham

2. MAIN FEATURES OF 'THE CRISIS'

   • Child consumerism fears
   • Stress of academic achievment/from policies
   • Concerns of safety/abuse
   • Loss of 'innocence' through clothing/video games etc.
   • Health/weight gain
   • Concerns over childrens happiness & well being
   • Parents pressured to 'keep upto date' through consumerism
   • Companies applying marketing strategies in order to 'scaremonger' parents into protecting childs welfare (safety products/stem cell retrieval)

3. IMPLICATIONS/CAUSE & EFFECT OF 'THE CRISIS'

   • Less freedom for children over fears of safety
   • Parents expected to spend more £ on children (toys/gifts/parties)
   • State intervention into childhood
   • High risk aversion lifestyle
   • Parental confidence lost due to pressures of 'how to parent' (media etc.)

4. IS THE CRISIS REAL?

   • NO
     • Its a media fuelled panic
     • Patterned- it repeats every time a new thin is developed (e.g. technology)
   • YES
     • Its also 'Cyclical' not a new phenomenon
     • Yes-As a reflection of adult anxiety and insecurity in 'new times' p.30)