“childhood is a social
construction”
Social construction?
Means that the important characteristics of something,
such as childhood, health and other forms of deviance
are created and influenced by the attitudes, actions and
interpretations of members of society.
NOTE. Societies are individual in the way they have
different social constructions, childhood is a important
feature in some societies but doesn't really exist in
others.
“Childhood” in contemporary
western society
• In contemporary Britain and in most western societies people
take it for granted that children are different from adults. Children
are viewed as innocent and vulnerable who need protecting from
the dangers of the adult world. We view childhood as a
completely different period of time away from the adult life. As a
result adults have to a extent constructed a “separate world” for
children in the way...
• Children are protected from adult dangers by laws (e.g.
Negligence)
• They have cheaper travel and special foods, clothes, toys
• Special areas designed only for children (e.g. Indoor play areas)
• Special arrangements made for them by the state like schools
and child benefits.
We design theses features to protect children in their best interest
as a result of children’s “natural biological immaturity”, adults
construct childhood
HOWEVER!!!
Sociologists argue that the identity and status of
children, and childhood as a separate phase of life have
been created by society and social attitudes and are not
set by “biological immaturity”
They argue that childhood is a “social
construction”
Childhood
“Construction” rather than
“natural”
• There is evidence supporting the idea that childhood is
a social construction opposed to a natural product of
biological immaturity (society creates childhood, rather
then it being a biological product and hence non
universal)
1. View of nature of children and childhood has changed
through history in way of status, responsibilities and
treatment
2. The difference between children's status and others
factors even in the same society
3. The difference between children's status and others
factors even in the same society The differing status,
responsibilities and treatment of children in different
culture
1.How history has effected the
social construction of
childhood (Britain)
The social construction of childhood as being the separate phase
of life as we know today is a relatively modern development.
It has developed and changed along with the building of
development and change in our societies views and attitudes.
Just further proof that our childhood is a “social construction”
Childhood experience in pre-industrial society
Children viewed as ‘tiny adults’ – no real difference between children and adults. (Philippe Aries 1973)
Children worked from a young age and were viewed as economic assets – means of bringing in money
and supporting the family.
Children joined in similar leisure activities to adults and could be punished for criminal offences.
No real distinction between childhood and adulthood during this period
Early Industrial Period and Childhood
Children during this time worked alongside adults.
Working class children in particular continued to work in the factories, mines and mills.
However, advances in public health and medicine led to a decline in the infant mortality rate amongst
the middle classes.
This led to a change in attitudes amongst the middle classes to how children were viewed
1.How history has effected the
social construction of
childhood (Britain)
Later Industrial Period and Childhood
Mid 19th century Factory/Mine acts meant children were no longer able to work.
Children no longer economic assets.
1870 Education Act – Children need to be supported.
Further advances in sanitation and medicine meant a decline in the infant mortality rate
amongst the working class.
This led to a decline in the birth rate – couples had fewer children, because the children they
had were more likely to survive. Also, children no longer economic assets.
This led to a change in attitudes towards children – children came to be seen as different to
adults and in need of love, care and support.
20th Century
Child centred society – Children are viewed differently to adults and are viewed as in need
of support and protection. Society is geared towards putting the interests of children first.
Childhood has come to be seen as a separate category from adulthood.
Children’s toys, clothes, programmes, books, foods etc -
2. Differences between
children in the same society
Its a fact that the concept and experience of childhood
are not the same even in the same society. In
contemporary Britain different stratified features like
social class, ethnicity, and gender mean that not all
children have the same experiences in childhood.
Around 29% of children in Britain in 2005-6 were living
in officially defined poverty.
Asian girls will often have a different and much
restricted childhood than boys.
Low income parents can force their children into jobs
as soon as possible (paper round) in order to
supplement not getting pocket money or in some cases
to contribute to the family income
3. Cross-cultural differences in
childhood
Looking at childhood from a cross-cultural perspective
gives you a much more diverse varieties of childhoods
across the world. The freedom and detachment from adult
responsibilities that's experienced from children in a
western societies is not found in all societies
In developing countries the more simpler societies the
period of childhood and adolescence before adulthood does
not even exist. Children take on adult roles as soon as
physically possible with taking on adult working roles and
even roles of armed soldiers to ensure the economic
survival of the family
(www.child-soldiers.com) suggested that between 2001-
2004 child soldiers were involved in conflict in 27 countries
around the world. With children being brutalized and killed.
There is seen to be no social construction for childhood
3. Cross-cultural differences in
childhood (child labour)
• Taking child labour for example it does not happen to the
extent in western societies as in other societies because of
this social construction of childhood we have, we do not view
child labour within the foundations of our construction.
Therefore when child labour is expressed in our society could
it be argued that we look at it in more of a non-existant light
hearted way
• opposed to the harsh reality of other cultures and
societies.....so how do you view it?
• Light hearted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ExPPqGY4I
• Harsh reality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4CWtFzj0Po&feature=Pla
yList&p=4AD1C01633218A7B&playnext=1&playnext_from=P
L&index=29
