Evaluate sociological explanations of changes in the status of childhood. [20 marks]
Many sociologists would regard the concept of childhood as being a social construction because it
varies according to time and place. Within western society it is generally accepted that childhood is a
distinct time of life that has different expectations than adulthood and which regards children as
being generally more vulnerable and in need of protection. Children are unable to work, vote or take
legal responsibility for themselves. Pilcher saw this as a key feature of childhood in western society as
it is separate from adulthood. There are also differences in terms of the expected norms for the
different groups with children occupying a distinct space in terms of their dress, language, culture,
and activities. Many sociologists would argue that there is such a thing as a ‘golden age’ of childhood
where children have a privileged social status, and their lives are lived predominantly in the spheres
of family and education.
The march of progress view argues that the experience of childhood in Western societies has
improved in the last 50 years or so. This is the view held by the sociologist Aries who argued that
children today are much better protected from harm and exploitation than they ever have been
before. This is due to a number of important changes in society such as laws restricting child labour,
the introduction of compulsory schooling, child protection legislation, the growth of children’s rights
and the development of medical knowledge which is particular to children. The result of this in more
recent years has been the sustained improvement in the social status of children and the investment
placed in them by their families means that society has become child centred. As a general rule,
family sizes have decreased over the last 50 years or so. From an economic perspective, children have
also become more of an economic liability as they are no longer able to work to provide an income to
the family and so families generally invest more time and money in raising one or two children well.
This child-centredness, according to Aries undoubtedly results in a more positive life experience for
children over the last 50 years or so.
In opposition to this view, Sue Palmer argues instead that there has been a move towards a ‘toxic
childhood’. According to Palmer, the rapid changes in both culture and technology that have occurred
have had a negative impact on children because they have exposed children to unsuitable content at
a younger age such as that of an explicitly sexual or violent nature, or even through areas such as
advertising, children are being bombarded with unrealistic and negative expectations about
appearance and body image. Even within the food industry there has been an explosion of fast-food
culture and the range available to children has been increased by globalisation and the pressure to
be part of a consumer culture, according to Marxists. This can cause health issues such as increased
childhood obesity as well as mental health issues and issues of self-esteem. Children therefore are
engaging in risky behaviours such as drinking, drugs, smoking and premature sexual behaviours
which can be hugely damaging to their health and their future. This suggests that contrary to the
march of progress view, the experiences of childhood over the last 50 years have not actually
improved.
Postmodernists however would be quick to point out that it is difficult to generalise about
experiences of childhood as not all children will share the same experience, even within larger social
categories relating to class, gender, and ethnicity. Even if we did accept that generalisations could be
made within these larger social groups, Feminists for example would point out that experiences of
childhood will differ significantly according to gender. For example, Hillman pointed out that boys
generally have greater freedom as children to leave the house and to use public transport/cycle on
the roads than girls. Similarly, Bonke found that girls are expected to do significantly more domestic
labour than boys which results in a more negative experience of childhood. Inequalities also existed
Many sociologists would regard the concept of childhood as being a social construction because it
varies according to time and place. Within western society it is generally accepted that childhood is a
distinct time of life that has different expectations than adulthood and which regards children as
being generally more vulnerable and in need of protection. Children are unable to work, vote or take
legal responsibility for themselves. Pilcher saw this as a key feature of childhood in western society as
it is separate from adulthood. There are also differences in terms of the expected norms for the
different groups with children occupying a distinct space in terms of their dress, language, culture,
and activities. Many sociologists would argue that there is such a thing as a ‘golden age’ of childhood
where children have a privileged social status, and their lives are lived predominantly in the spheres
of family and education.
The march of progress view argues that the experience of childhood in Western societies has
improved in the last 50 years or so. This is the view held by the sociologist Aries who argued that
children today are much better protected from harm and exploitation than they ever have been
before. This is due to a number of important changes in society such as laws restricting child labour,
the introduction of compulsory schooling, child protection legislation, the growth of children’s rights
and the development of medical knowledge which is particular to children. The result of this in more
recent years has been the sustained improvement in the social status of children and the investment
placed in them by their families means that society has become child centred. As a general rule,
family sizes have decreased over the last 50 years or so. From an economic perspective, children have
also become more of an economic liability as they are no longer able to work to provide an income to
the family and so families generally invest more time and money in raising one or two children well.
This child-centredness, according to Aries undoubtedly results in a more positive life experience for
children over the last 50 years or so.
In opposition to this view, Sue Palmer argues instead that there has been a move towards a ‘toxic
childhood’. According to Palmer, the rapid changes in both culture and technology that have occurred
have had a negative impact on children because they have exposed children to unsuitable content at
a younger age such as that of an explicitly sexual or violent nature, or even through areas such as
advertising, children are being bombarded with unrealistic and negative expectations about
appearance and body image. Even within the food industry there has been an explosion of fast-food
culture and the range available to children has been increased by globalisation and the pressure to
be part of a consumer culture, according to Marxists. This can cause health issues such as increased
childhood obesity as well as mental health issues and issues of self-esteem. Children therefore are
engaging in risky behaviours such as drinking, drugs, smoking and premature sexual behaviours
which can be hugely damaging to their health and their future. This suggests that contrary to the
march of progress view, the experiences of childhood over the last 50 years have not actually
improved.
Postmodernists however would be quick to point out that it is difficult to generalise about
experiences of childhood as not all children will share the same experience, even within larger social
categories relating to class, gender, and ethnicity. Even if we did accept that generalisations could be
made within these larger social groups, Feminists for example would point out that experiences of
childhood will differ significantly according to gender. For example, Hillman pointed out that boys
generally have greater freedom as children to leave the house and to use public transport/cycle on
the roads than girls. Similarly, Bonke found that girls are expected to do significantly more domestic
labour than boys which results in a more negative experience of childhood. Inequalities also existed
