Reasons for changes in the position of children Has childhood changed over time?
- Compulsory schooling was introduced (1880) ‘Childhood’ as a concept, hasn’t always existed in the UK. The Victorians
- Child protection and welfare legislation are both were responsible for creating the idea of ‘childhood’.
established.
- The growth of and support of the idea of children’s Our early years started to be seen as a completely separate portion of a
rights. person’s life, and that it should be a time of being protected from the adult
- Declining family size and lower rates of infant mortality. world, a time of education rather than work, and a time to have fun and play.
- Children’s development becoming the subject of medical
knowledge.
- Laws and policies that apply specifically to children.
Middle Ages
(1500-1600)
So…
Children are seen the same way as adults
are. They fend for themselves, carry
As you can see from the table above, swords, find their own shelter and engage
in sexual relationships.
childhood was ‘socially constructed’
during the late 1800s onwards. We
Family -
created this idea that children are special,
Changes in the
and separate from adults, and should be status of
treated differently and have different life children in the 1700s - early 1800s Children are seen as mini adults, cared for
experiences. That they shouldn’t work, family and more than previously but still seen as
should go to school, should have toys to society economic assets. They worked from a young
age in factories to help financially support the
play with, should be protected…
family. This is the start of the industrial
Late 1800s - 1900 revolution, childhood still didn’t exist.
1950 - now
(modern childhood)
School system kicked in. Children
1900-1950 banned from working. Factory acts
passed to disallow children from
working in factories. Compulsory
education is introduced, children
Childhood became a time of innocence and begin to be seen as ‘emotionally
Many child protection laws are in place. We magic. Children are protected, loved, and kept priceless’. Started seeing the
are child centred. Seen as important and in away from the adult world. Could play and learn at creation of toys and distinct
need of love and protection. Education school. Creation of free state education for all. children’s culture.
extended to 18. Lots of laws restricting them, Child protection laws introduced, childhood
children have more rights and utilise these. vaccinations and medicines etc. Childhood was a
They’re more exposed to the adult world distinct phase of life - own toys, books, music etc
through media and technology. They are
beginning to grow up earlier.
- Compulsory schooling was introduced (1880) ‘Childhood’ as a concept, hasn’t always existed in the UK. The Victorians
- Child protection and welfare legislation are both were responsible for creating the idea of ‘childhood’.
established.
- The growth of and support of the idea of children’s Our early years started to be seen as a completely separate portion of a
rights. person’s life, and that it should be a time of being protected from the adult
- Declining family size and lower rates of infant mortality. world, a time of education rather than work, and a time to have fun and play.
- Children’s development becoming the subject of medical
knowledge.
- Laws and policies that apply specifically to children.
Middle Ages
(1500-1600)
So…
Children are seen the same way as adults
are. They fend for themselves, carry
As you can see from the table above, swords, find their own shelter and engage
in sexual relationships.
childhood was ‘socially constructed’
during the late 1800s onwards. We
Family -
created this idea that children are special,
Changes in the
and separate from adults, and should be status of
treated differently and have different life children in the 1700s - early 1800s Children are seen as mini adults, cared for
experiences. That they shouldn’t work, family and more than previously but still seen as
should go to school, should have toys to society economic assets. They worked from a young
age in factories to help financially support the
play with, should be protected…
family. This is the start of the industrial
Late 1800s - 1900 revolution, childhood still didn’t exist.
1950 - now
(modern childhood)
School system kicked in. Children
1900-1950 banned from working. Factory acts
passed to disallow children from
working in factories. Compulsory
education is introduced, children
Childhood became a time of innocence and begin to be seen as ‘emotionally
Many child protection laws are in place. We magic. Children are protected, loved, and kept priceless’. Started seeing the
are child centred. Seen as important and in away from the adult world. Could play and learn at creation of toys and distinct
need of love and protection. Education school. Creation of free state education for all. children’s culture.
extended to 18. Lots of laws restricting them, Child protection laws introduced, childhood
children have more rights and utilise these. vaccinations and medicines etc. Childhood was a
They’re more exposed to the adult world distinct phase of life - own toys, books, music etc
through media and technology. They are
beginning to grow up earlier.
