1. Childhood The sociology of childhood http://www.educationforum.co.uk
(based on a resource found at )

2. Childhood
Childhood is a social construction. It is created by society rather than simply a biological stage.
Different societies and different historical periods have different ideas about what is a child and what is expected of a child

3. Pre Industrial Society Aries 1962 ‘Childhood’ is a recent invention
In pre industrial society children were little adults
They were an economic asset – they were expected to help the family unit of production

4. Childhood In 20th Century The 20th century became ‘child centred’
The 20th century became ‘child centred’
Health and diet improved and the infant mortality rate declined.

5. 1945 Butler Education Act – schooling for all 5-15
Childhood & The State
The 20th century saw the increasing need to protect children via a number of pieces of legislation.  
1945 Butler Education Act – schooling for all 5-15
(Raised to 16 in 1972)
The Children Act 1989 – giving more rights to children

6. These deal with the care, upbringing and protection of children
Childhood & The State
1990 Child Care Act
1991 Child Support Act
These deal with the care, upbringing and protection of children
Social Services and Social Workers have powers to take children away from dangerous home situations

7. Childhood & The State
Recent changes have undermined the distinctiveness of childhood, according to some sociologists.
TV and other media have penetrated our homes and teat children as fully fledged consumers of products.
On the other hand the need to protect children against the ‘evils’ of the adult world are reflected in the policies shown above.
Hence the messages have become confusing and the debate about the status of children in contemporary society has developed into a source of tension

8. Youth
Squeezed in between childhood and adulthood is the unclear term ‘youth’

9. Says it is best treated as a transition between child and adult.
Youth
Pilcher 1995
Says it is best treated as a transition between child and adult.
From compulsory education to employment
From family of origin to family of destination (orientation to procreation)

10. Youth Culture first emerged in post war Uk
Teenagers found jobs quickly and earned high wages
Hence they had strong spending power
Clothes, music etc exploited this new market

11. Prosperity and media combined to give new independence to youths
Conflicts with the older generation were more marked

12. 1972 school leaving age was raised to 16
Youth
1970’s
1972 school leaving age was raised to 16
By the end of the 1970’s unemployment was starting to bite

13. Unemployment became more widespread
Youth
1980’s
Unemployment became more widespread
Spending power of youth declined
More staying on longer in full time education

14. Transition to economic independence has become longer
Youth
1990’s
Transition to economic independence has become longer
House price increases have led many to stay living with parents into their 20’s
People are marrying later and having children later. (Average age for first time mums was 24 in the 1970’s, now it’s 28)
University loans replacing grants has led to more dependence on family for financial support

15. Exam Questions on childhood
May 2002
Identify and briefly explain 2 reasons why the position of childhood has changed in the last 100 years (8 marks)

16. June 2001
Identify and briefly explain 2 reasons why childhood as a separate age-status is a ‘relatively modern invention’ (8 marks)

17. Jan 2002
Examine the arguments and evidence in favour of the view that childhood is socially constructed (20 marks)
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