In 1998, Gittins used the term ‘age patriarchy’ to describe Age patriarchy Neglect and abuse: Adult control over children can take extreme forms of
inequalities between adults and children. Just as feminists use physical neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
the concept of patriarchy to describe male domination and
female dependency, Gittins argues that there is also an age In 2020, 50,000 children were subjected to child protection plans as they were
patriarchy of adult domination and child dependency. In fact, deemed at risk of significant harm. Often from their own parents.
patriarchy literally means “rule by the father” and as Gittins
points out, the term ‘family’ referred originally to the power of Childline receives over 20,000 calls a year from children saying
the male head over all other members of the household, they have been sexually or physically abused.
including children and servants as well as women. This indicates a ‘dark side’ to family life in which children are the
victims.
Evidence that children may experience childhood as
oppressive comes from the strategies that they use to resist Controls over
Control over the status of child and the restrictions that go with it. children’s space:
children’s access Children are told to play in some
to resources areas and not others. There is vast
surveillance over children in public
In industrial societies, children have only limited
areas such as shopping centres,
opportunities to earn money, and so they remain
especially when children should be
dependent economically on adults. Cunningham said that the
Family - Has at school.
- Labour laws and compulsory ‘home habitat’ of 8 year olds
schooling exclude them from all childhood (the area they are allowed to
but the most marginal, low paid, improved over travel alone) has shrunk to
part time employment. time? one-ninth of the size it was 25 In 1971, 83% of children
- Although the state pays child (2) years earlier. travelled to school
benefit, this goes to the parent independently, in 2013, only
not the child. 12% travelled unaccompanied.
- Pocket money given by parents Controls over
Controls over children’s time
may depend on ‘good children’s bodies
behaviour’ and there may be Adults in modern society control children’s daily
restrictions on what it can be Adults exercise enormous control over routines, including the times when they:
spent on (further limiting children’s bodies, including how they sit, walk - Get up
opportunities) and run, what they wear (sun hats, make-up, - Eat
glasses), their hairstyles and whether or not - Go to school Adults also control the speed at which children
they are able to get their ears pierced. - Come home 'grow up’. It is they who define whether a child
- Go out is too old or too young for this or the activity,
- Play responsibility or behaviour.
Children’s bodies may also be touched (in socially acceptable ways by
- Watch television
specific adults):
- Sleep
- Washed - Shown affection
- Fed and dressed - In some cases, even disciplined
This contrasts with Holmes’ finding that among Samoans, ‘too young’ is never given as
- Have their heads patted and
a reason for not letting a child undertake a particular activity.
hands held
inequalities between adults and children. Just as feminists use physical neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
the concept of patriarchy to describe male domination and
female dependency, Gittins argues that there is also an age In 2020, 50,000 children were subjected to child protection plans as they were
patriarchy of adult domination and child dependency. In fact, deemed at risk of significant harm. Often from their own parents.
patriarchy literally means “rule by the father” and as Gittins
points out, the term ‘family’ referred originally to the power of Childline receives over 20,000 calls a year from children saying
the male head over all other members of the household, they have been sexually or physically abused.
including children and servants as well as women. This indicates a ‘dark side’ to family life in which children are the
victims.
Evidence that children may experience childhood as
oppressive comes from the strategies that they use to resist Controls over
Control over the status of child and the restrictions that go with it. children’s space:
children’s access Children are told to play in some
to resources areas and not others. There is vast
surveillance over children in public
In industrial societies, children have only limited
areas such as shopping centres,
opportunities to earn money, and so they remain
especially when children should be
dependent economically on adults. Cunningham said that the
Family - Has at school.
- Labour laws and compulsory ‘home habitat’ of 8 year olds
schooling exclude them from all childhood (the area they are allowed to
but the most marginal, low paid, improved over travel alone) has shrunk to
part time employment. time? one-ninth of the size it was 25 In 1971, 83% of children
- Although the state pays child (2) years earlier. travelled to school
benefit, this goes to the parent independently, in 2013, only
not the child. 12% travelled unaccompanied.
- Pocket money given by parents Controls over
Controls over children’s time
may depend on ‘good children’s bodies
behaviour’ and there may be Adults in modern society control children’s daily
restrictions on what it can be Adults exercise enormous control over routines, including the times when they:
spent on (further limiting children’s bodies, including how they sit, walk - Get up
opportunities) and run, what they wear (sun hats, make-up, - Eat
glasses), their hairstyles and whether or not - Go to school Adults also control the speed at which children
they are able to get their ears pierced. - Come home 'grow up’. It is they who define whether a child
- Go out is too old or too young for this or the activity,
- Play responsibility or behaviour.
Children’s bodies may also be touched (in socially acceptable ways by
- Watch television
specific adults):
- Sleep
- Washed - Shown affection
- Fed and dressed - In some cases, even disciplined
This contrasts with Holmes’ finding that among Samoans, ‘too young’ is never given as
- Have their heads patted and
a reason for not letting a child undertake a particular activity.
hands held
