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Sociology SCLY1 MAY15

How do you write a good essay on Childhood?

for example: "examine different sociological views on changes in the experience of childhood in the past 50 years or so?"
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Avatar for Samia.a
Samia.a
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Original post by jaimieleigh1
How do you write a good essay on Childhood?

for example: "examine different sociological views on changes in the experience of childhood in the past 50 years or so?"

Briefly...
1. What is childhood?-social construct and varies between class, society and time
2. Talk about childhood in different societies (children in the west are seen as an economic liability and are viewed as innocent whereas children in non-industrial societies are expected to work at a young age and are not really viewed differently to adults-economic asset)
3. The history of childhood- here you'd involve Aries and Shorter (more if you want). Aries; pre-industrial Britain childhood didn't exist and work began at an early age- children were 'mini-adults.' Shorter; parents didn't pay much attention to children as there was a high death rate hence children were neglected and people had lots of children.
Also, the position of children has developed due to an advance in knowledge on children's health, banning of child labour, laws protecting children and compulsory education.
4. Has childhood improved during the past 50?- March of Progress; modern society people now have less children hence childhood is given a higher value therefore the Western society is more child centered. Feminists; Girls in some societies are expected to do more work in the house compared to boys. Marxists; class inequality hence poorer children most likely to die from infant mortality. Gittins; Age patriarchy- parents/adults possess power over children i.e. how children spend their time, what they do with their bodies, space etc. Also, child abuse is relatively high therefore childhood isn't good.
The New Right are most likely to blame the increase in lone parenthood for the destroy of childhood within the past 50 years as the absent male figure links to delinquency and anti-social behaviour. Functionalist see childhood as an innocent period of socialisation which they believe has been consistent within the past 50 years. Therefore, parents must install the right norms and values. On the other hand, Marxists argue that parents only pass on capitalist values so that their children can be good passive workers to continue being oppressed by the ruling-class and also, richer families are able to afford nannies, private education/boarding school
5. Childhood now (future)- Postman; childhood is disappearing due to television culture and imprinting culture (children now have the knowledge to access 'adult' information e.g. sex and money). Libertarians argue that we now have more child protection=oppression. Include why childhood is blurring over time- similar clothing, leisure, rights etc.
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 2
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jaimieleigh1
OP
Thank you, Samia.a! This really helped :smile:
Reply 3
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Samia.a
9
Original post by jaimieleigh1
Thank you, Samia.a! This really helped :smile:

You're welcome Glad I helped

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