Assess the view that the position of childhood in society...

Childhood is a social construction, as it is not natural, and is a result of society identifying and labelling a phase of life. No child experiences exactly the same childhood at exactly the same period of time in their life. In turn childhood should be distinguished from biological life stages. How we treat children, expect them to behave, look and develop all vary depending on the time and place in which the society lies, therefore childhood is a social construction. One view sociologists take on childhood, is the march of progress view. This view argues that over the past centuries, the position of children in society has steadily improved and that it is substantially better today, due to the introduction of various laws, children†¦show more content†¦The Child Protection Act (1889) provides protection for children from neglect abuse. March of progress sociologists believe that these laws and the change in people’s general attitude have led to a society which is child centred, giving children equal opportunities, allowing them to live a more stable life. Conflict view sociologists believe that the inequalities between children and adults are greater than ever, and that children today experience greater control, oppression and dependency, not greater care and protection. This view suggests that children’s wellbeing, personal freedom and resources are all controlled more so than they were before the supposed ‘March of progress’ and there is a vast amount of inequality between children still. For example, class inequalities are very present, as children of unskilled manual workers are over three times more likely to experience conduct disorders than the children of professionals (Caroline Woodroffe 1993). In addition to this, children born into poor families are also more likely to die in infancy or childhood (Marilyn Howard 2001). March of progress sociologists argue that the family has become child centred. Children are now the focus of society; they are consulted on decisions that they were not trusted to do so before. Parents invest a great deal emotionally in children as well as financially and often have higherShow MoreRelatedSociology5053 Words   |  21 Pagesfeminists use the term ‘dual burden’ to describe the woman’s role in the family today. Item 2B Government policies and laws include tax and benefit policies as well as legislation such as relating to divorce and marriage. Sociologists have different views on the impact of these policies and laws on families. For example, feminists argue that social policies assume that the ideal family is a patriarchal nuclear family, and that government policies and laws therefore favour this sort of family. On theRead MoreScly1 Past Papers7036 Words   |  29 Pagesthat changes in society have led to a situation where childhood is being lost. By this, they mean that children today no longer have an opportunity to enjoy childhood, but instead have to deal with adult concerns and pressures while they are still young. An alternative view is that children are now denied access to the adult world for a much longer period than was the case for previous generations of children. Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that childhood is being lost inRead MoreAssess sociological explanations of cha1814 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿ Assess sociological explanations of changes in the status of childhood? Childhood is a social construction and varies between times, places and groups. Most sociologists see our ides of childhood as a fairly recent one, the result of industrialisation and other social changes. Modern society constructs childhood as a tie of vulnerability, innocence and segregation from the adult world. The March of progress sociologist believe we live in an increasingly child-centred society. They state that childrenRead MoreThe village saint2762 Words   |  12 PagesSocialisation 2 Many sociologists believe that people are socialised into the norms and values of society, rather than inheriting them. (a) What is meant by the term values? [2] Answers should refer to ideas and beliefs that a society holds to be important. 2 marks for a clear definition, 1 mark for a partial definition. (b) Describe two ways that people learn the norms and values of society. [4] Answers are likely to focus on: the role of the family, the school, and religious institutionsRead MoreFactors Affecting Career Preferences of Senior High School Student5164 Words   |  21 PagesPresented By: Aizel Hernandez Benpar Lo Reyes Jhose Mariz De Roca January 2012 APPROVAL SHEET In partial fulfillment of the requirements in Technical Writing, this thesis entitled â€Å" Factors Affecting Career Preferences of Senior High School Student† has been prepared by Aizel Hernandez, Benpar Lo Reyes, and Jhose Mariz De Roca who are hereby recommended for oral defense. ____________________ _______________________ Date Mrs. Weng Dela Peà ±a Approved by the Panelist Committee: Read More Effects of Ultrasounds Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesMRI scans and Ct scans just to name a few. The main use for ultrasounds is to diagnose a patient with a condition they have, however ultrasounds can also be used in screening for disease and to aid in treatment of diseases or conditions. 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The debate of whether nature vs nurture can have an impact on intelligence is the question even every day people want to know. Many psychologists have long been looking for an answer. A lot of research has gone into this topic, studyingRead MoreTransactional Anlysis Essay examples4884 Words   |  20 PagesControlling (or Critical) Parent, attempts to make the Child do as the parent wants. This can involve trying to transfer their own values or beliefs or helping the Child to adapt behaviour to live in society and also to keep the child from danger. The Child state This state is repeated from childhood. The child state involves how the person feels, as with the parent state it is a recording, usually up till the age of 5, but this time of the internal state, of how the child feels in response