Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Childhood as a Social Construct - Coggle Diagram
Childhood as a Social Construct
Modern Western Ideas
Jane Pilcher (1995)
Most important part of childhood is separateness. It's a stage of life, clear and distinct. They have a different place in society compared to adults, with a different status.
Shown in what they are or are not allowed to do.
'Golden age'
Happiness and innocence
Children are vunerable
Children are sheltered from the dangers of the real world by adults
Main focuses are family and education
Stephen Wagg (1992)
Childhood is a social construct. Childhood is what people say it is. It is different for everyone. It isn't natural, simply biological maturity.
Different cultures handle childhood differently
Western culture: Children are vulnerable and are unable to defend themselves
Other cultures: Not a great difference between adults and children
Today and past societies
Historical differences
Philippe Aries (1960)
Idea of childhood did not exist in the middle ages. They didn't have a different nature or needs from adults after the infant stage
The law made no distinction between children and adults. Same punishments.
They began work at an early age, often in household of another family. Same rights, duties, and skills that adults had.
Uses works of art from the period as his evidence
Children are painted as mini adults, and are seen alongside adults playing, working, ect...
Similar clothing
Why positions may have changed
New laws
Education
Development