1. Childhood
Another major issue within the Sociology of Families & Households is
that of childhood. There are 3 main issues that must be examined
within this topic:
> Childhood as a Social Construction
> The changing position of children in families & society.
> The future of childhood.
Your learning objectives for this topic are as follows:
> To understand why childhood is seen as a social construction
> To know the reasons for these changing constructions (particularly in
contemporary society)
> To be able to analyse & evaluate different views of the position of
children today.
> To be able to analyse & evaluate different views of the future of
childhood.

2. The Social Construction of Childhood
Throughout many societies (particularly western societies) it is
assumed that children need a lengthy, protected period of time of
nurturing and socialising to prepare them for ‘Adult’ society.
Make a table with the following headings:
Childhood Teenage Adulthood Old Age

3. Childhood is often viewed as a
‘Golden Age’, an age of innocence. As
such, many societies see childhood
as a period of life that requires
protection and ‘quarantine’ from
adult life.
Can you think of
any evidence of this?

6. Aries (1975): The 20th Century has become the ‘Age of the child’ i.e.
families , and society in general, have become ‘CHILD-CENTRED’.
The position of children has vastly improved since the middle ages.
Why might the position of children improved since the middle ages?
Welfare State

7. As you can see, childhood is seen as a ‘Creation’ of society, a
‘Social Construction’ which is open to adaption and change.
The changes to childhood that we have considered are often viewed as positive
changes. There is however conflicting debate whether the position of children
has improved or not.
(SEE READING MATERIAL).