This document discusses how childhood is a social construction that has changed over time and varied between cultures. It outlines that pre-industrial societies viewed children as small adults and did not distinguish childhood from adulthood. During industrialization, children from working-class families still worked in mines and factories, though middle-class attitudes started seeing children as investments to nurture. By the 20th century, childhood emerged as child-centered, as improved living standards and contraception allowed parents to have fewer children and invest more in each one through love, education, and legal protections. Overall, the document examines how ideas of childhood being a protected stage separate from adulthood developed recently in history.

1. AIM: TO UNDERSTAND THAT CHILDHOOD IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONKey Question:Using historical evidence/examples, explain the idea that “childhood is socially constructed”

2. TASK:In your pair fill in the table, using findings from your ½ term homework to decide what childhood was like for the three different age groups you interviewed

3. What can you conclude about the experiences of childhood from these pictures?

4. Childhood is a SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION- created and defined by society, rather than simply a biological state

5. Ideas about childhood vary between different cultures, societies and different historical periodsHistorical differences in childhoodSociologist Phillippe Aries (1962) argued that childhood is a relatively ‘recent’ invention......

6. PRE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

7. Pre- industrial societyChildhood as we know it did not existChildren were ‘little adults’ who took part in the same work and play activities as adults. Toys and games specifically for children did not exist.Children seen as an economic asset, rather than something to be cared forChildren were punished for crimes in the same way that adults were (In Tudor times a 7 year old could be hung for stealing)

8. Industrial family

9. IndustrialisationChildren from W/C families still worked in mines, factories etcBUT!!!M/C attitudes started to change- parents investing emotionally in children as the death rate of children was starting to fall

10. Mid 19th Century:Adult started to become concerned with children who were begging on the streets and child prostitution. children were banned from working in the factories and mines where many had been killed. BUT some W/C parents resisted changes as they depended on children wages and many children continued to be badly treated

11. 20th Century:Emergence of child- centred society- ‘children are valued, loved and protected!’As a result of improved standards of living= major decline in infant mortality ratesIncreased availability of contraception meant couples could choose to have fewer children= invest more time in them in terms of love, socialisation and protection

12. Give examples of how society has allowed children to become valued, loved and protected?

13. Child centred societyHave their own toys, TV programmes, play areas made especially for them!!Have their own doctors, teachers etc, to care for themChildren are provided with an educationSpecial food/drink for kids

14. Changes in the position of children “ how did the position of children change from being the invisible mini adults to being the centre of our society?” Read page 76 in blue book or page 31 in orange book to answer the question

15. Watch this video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI40wizRNc4

16. Task Read the following statements and decide which period of time it fits into.... Write on your whiteboard PI= pre industrialIS= industrial societyTS- today’s society

17. What period of time am I?Children and adults both work Children’s toys and games do not exist Lots of laws to protect children Childhood seen as separate from adulthood Many middle class children stop working increased contraception Aries argued that children were regarded as an economic asset

18. What period am I?High infant mortality rateChild centred societyNo laws to stop children being over-workedAdults start to become concerned about child prostitution children work in mines, factories etcInfant mortality rate starting to fallChildren are like small adults, taking part in the same work and play activities

19. Homework: Remember...your exam will consist of 3 short questions worth 12 marks, followed by two 24 mark essay questionsExplain what is meant by the term child centred society (2 marks)Suggest 2 reasons why childhood can be argued to be a social construction (4 marks)Identify three changes linked to industrialisation that have led to changes in the position of children (6 marks)