Exploring the Social Construction of Childhood

Sep 30, 2024

Sociology: The Social Construction of Childhood

Introduction

  • Main Concept: Childhood is not a strictly biological age range but is socially constructed.
  • Defined by:
    • Cultural background
    • Time period
    • Social class
    • Gender
    • Ethnic differences

Cultural Differences

  • Western Perspective: Childhood is a time of innocence, learning, and integration into society.
  • Global Variations:
    • Child Labor: 168 million children globally (ILO, 2013)
    • Child Soldiers: 300,000 active, particularly in Central and Eastern Africa
    • Sexual Violence: 1 in 10 girls globally experience it
    • Child Murder: 95,000 children annually
  • Research Findings:
    • Benedict: In Samoa, little differentiation between adults and children.
    • Aries: Historical perspective showing that differentiation increased post-industrialization.

Historical Changes

  • Middle Ages to Modern Era:
    • Little differentiation between adults and children historically.
    • Changes due to compulsory education and child labor laws.
    • Decrease in infant mortality led to stronger parent-child bonds.

Social Class Differences

  • UK Context:
    • 4.2 million children in poverty (2019), rising to 5.2 million by 2022.
    • Only 1.2 million eligible for free school meals.
    • Austerity exposes inequalities: food banks, period poverty, holiday hunger.
    • Deprivation affects health, education, moral, and spiritual development.

Gender Differences

  • Parental Control:
    • More control over daughters due to media-driven moral panics.
  • Gender Socialization:
    • Girls: Higher educational outcomes but lower self-esteem.
    • Boys: "Crisis of masculinity" due to reduced traditional job opportunities and educational demands.
    • Impact on mental health later in life.

Ethnic Background

  • Indian/Pakistani Controls: Stricter, but supportive in education.
  • Chinese Students: Strict controls for educational success.
  • Racism: Both overt and institutional, especially impacting black Caribbean boys.
    • Kline et al.: Highlight institutional racism in education and policing.

Globalization and Western Influence

  • Miles: Globalization leads to Western notions of childhood being adopted.
    • Demographic transition to smaller families.
    • Standardization of childhood experiences.

Conclusion

  • Possible future of standardized childhood experiences based on Western concepts.
  • Importance of understanding the social construction in diverse contexts.