“childhood is a social construction”
Social construction?
 Means that the important characteristics of something, such as childhood,
health and other forms of deviance are created and influenced by the attitudes,
actions and interpretations of members of society.
NOTE. Societies are individual in the way they have different social constructions,
childhood is a important feature in some societies but doesn't really exist in
others.
“Childhood” in contemporary
western society
In contemporary Britain and in most western societies people take it for
granted that children are different from adults. Children are viewed as
innocent and vulnerable who need protecting from the dangers of the adult
world. We view childhood as a completely different period of time away from
the adult life. As a result adults have to a extent constructed a “separate world”
for children in the way...
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Children are protected from adult dangers by laws (e.g. Negligence)
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They have cheaper travel and special foods, clothes, toys
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Special areas designed only for children (e.g. Indoor play areas)
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Special arrangements made for them by the state like schools and child
benefits.
We design theses features to protect children in their best interest as a result of
children’s “natural biological immaturity”, adults construct childhood
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HOWEVER!!!
 Sociologists argue that the identity and status of children, and childhood as a
separate phase of life have been created by society and social attitudes and are
not set by “biological immaturity”
 They argue that childhood is a “social construction”
Childhood
“Construction” rather than “natural”
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1.
2.
3.
There is evidence supporting the idea that childhood is a social construction
opposed to a natural product of biological immaturity (society creates
childhood, rather then it being a biological product and hence non universal)
View of nature of children and childhood has changed through history in way
of status, responsibilities and treatment
The difference between children's status and others factors even in the same
society
The difference between children's status and others factors even in the same
society The differing status, responsibilities and treatment of children in
different culture
1.How history has effected the social
construction of childhood (Britain)
The social construction of childhood as being the separate phase of life as we know
today is a relatively modern development. It has developed and changed along with
the building of development and change in our societies views and attitudes. Just
further proof that our childhood is a “social construction”
Childhood experience in pre-industrial society

Children viewed as ‘tiny adults’ – no real difference between children and adults. (Philippe Aries 1973)

Children worked from a young age and were viewed as economic assets – means of bringing in money and supporting the family.

Children joined in similar leisure activities to adults and could be punished for criminal offences.

No real distinction between childhood and adulthood during this period
Early Industrial Period and Childhood

Children during this time worked alongside adults.
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Working class children in particular continued to work in the factories, mines and mills.
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However, advances in public health and medicine led to a decline in the infant mortality rate amongst the middle classes.

This led to a change in attitudes amongst the middle classes to how children were viewed
1.How history has effected the social
construction of childhood (Britain)
Later Industrial Period and Childhood

Mid 19th century Factory/Mine acts meant children were no longer able to work.

Children no longer economic assets.

1870 Education Act – Children need to be supported.

Further advances in sanitation and medicine meant a decline in the infant mortality rate amongst the working class.

This led to a decline in the birth rate – couples had fewer children, because the children they had were more likely to survive. Also,
children no longer economic assets.

This led to a change in attitudes towards children – children came to be seen as different to adults and in need of love, care and
support.
20th Century

Child centred society – Children are viewed differently to adults and are viewed as in need of support and protection. Society is
geared towards putting the interests of children first.

Childhood has come to be seen as a separate category from adulthood.

Children’s toys, clothes, programmes, books, foods etc -
2. Differences between children in
the same society
 Its a fact that the concept and experience of childhood are not the same even
in the same society. In contemporary Britain different stratified features like
social class, ethnicity, and gender mean that not all children have the same
experiences in childhood.
 Around 29% of children in Britain in 2005-6 were living in officially defined
poverty.
 Asian girls will often have a different and much restricted childhood than
boys.
 Low income parents can force their children into jobs as soon as possible
(paper round) in order to supplement not getting pocket money or in some
cases to contribute to the family income
3. Cross-cultural differences in
childhood
 Looking at childhood from a cross-cultural perspective gives you a much more
diverse varieties of childhoods across the world. The freedom and detachment
from adult responsibilities that's experienced from children in a western
societies is not found in all societies
 In developing countries the more simpler societies the period of childhood and
adolescence before adulthood does not even exist. Children take on adult roles
as soon as physically possible with taking on adult working roles and even roles
of armed soldiers to ensure the economic survival of the family
 (www.child-soldiers.com) suggested that between 2001-2004 child soldiers
were involved in conflict in 27 countries around the world. With children being
brutalized and killed.
 There is seen to be no social construction for childhood
3. Cross-cultural differences in
childhood (child labour)
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Taking child labour for example it does not happen to the extent in western
societies as in other societies because of this social construction of childhood we
have, we do not view child labour within the foundations of our construction.
Therefore when child labour is expressed in our society could it be argued that we
look at it in more of a non-existant light hearted way
opposed to the harsh reality of other cultures and societies.....so how do you view
it?
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Light hearted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ExPPqGY4I
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Harsh reality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4CWtFzj0Po&feature=PlayList&p=4AD1
C01633218A7B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=29