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What does Archard argue about the concept of childhood?
What does Archard argue about the concept of childhood?
- Every human society has developed a similar concept of childhood.
- The concept of childhood is a modern invention, not present in pre-industrial societies.
- The concept of childhood is biologically determined and universal across societies.
- Every human society has developed a concept of childhood, but the definitions differ. (correct)
What does the text suggest about the social construction of childhood?
What does the text suggest about the social construction of childhood?
- Childhood is a universal concept, with the same meaning across all societies.
- Childhood is socially constructed, rather than biologically determined. (correct)
- Childhood is a modern concept, only relevant in post-industrial societies.
- Childhood is a purely biological category, determined by physical development.
According to Philippe Ariès, when did the concept of 'childhood' as a distinctive phase emerge?
According to Philippe Ariès, when did the concept of 'childhood' as a distinctive phase emerge?
- It emerged around three centuries ago, with the transition to industrial society. (correct)
- It has always existed in human societies, since prehistoric times.
- It emerged in the late 19th century, with the development of education systems.
- It is a recent concept, emerging in the 20th century with the rise of child labor laws.
How did the role and social position of children change with the transition to industrial society?
How did the role and social position of children change with the transition to industrial society?
What role did the development of education systems play in the changing concept of childhood?
What role did the development of education systems play in the changing concept of childhood?
How does the text characterize Ariès' claim about the idea of childhood in pre-industrial society?
How does the text characterize Ariès' claim about the idea of childhood in pre-industrial society?
How did Philippe Ariès contribute to the study of childhood?
How did Philippe Ariès contribute to the study of childhood?
What did Malinowski's study of the Trobriand Islanders reveal about child-parent relationships in pre-industrial tribal societies?
What did Malinowski's study of the Trobriand Islanders reveal about child-parent relationships in pre-industrial tribal societies?
How do recent studies in South America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa contribute to understanding child-parent relationships?
How do recent studies in South America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa contribute to understanding child-parent relationships?
According to Postman, what major reason contributes to the disappearance of childhood as traditionally understood?
According to Postman, what major reason contributes to the disappearance of childhood as traditionally understood?
How does Sue Palmer describe the current state of childhood?
How does Sue Palmer describe the current state of childhood?
What is generally represented as a social problem and burden in modern industrial societies?
What is generally represented as a social problem and burden in modern industrial societies?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as contributing to the reduction in status of older people in modern societies?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as contributing to the reduction in status of older people in modern societies?
How does Robertson (2001) suggest childhood has been impacted by societal changes?
How does Robertson (2001) suggest childhood has been impacted by societal changes?
What does Hecht's study of Brazilian street children reveal about their relationship with their families?
What does Hecht's study of Brazilian street children reveal about their relationship with their families?
What can companies do to help older workers reach the same skill levels as younger workers?
What can companies do to help older workers reach the same skill levels as younger workers?
How did Medieval paintings influence Philippe Ariès' perspective on childhood?
How did Medieval paintings influence Philippe Ariès' perspective on childhood?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to reinvent the statuses of older people?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to reinvent the statuses of older people?
What factor may contribute to older men having greater social status than older women?
What factor may contribute to older men having greater social status than older women?
What distinguishes child-parent relationships in pre-industrial tribal societies from modern industrial societies according to Malinowski's findings?
What distinguishes child-parent relationships in pre-industrial tribal societies from modern industrial societies according to Malinowski's findings?
In what way does Sue Palmer argue that contemporary childhood is negatively impacted?
In what way does Sue Palmer argue that contemporary childhood is negatively impacted?
What is becoming less significant in determining one's social age, according to the text?
What is becoming less significant in determining one's social age, according to the text?
Which of the following statements about advertisers targeting children's markets is true?
Which of the following statements about advertisers targeting children's markets is true?
According to the postmodern view mentioned in the text, how do children shape the products they consume?
According to the postmodern view mentioned in the text, how do children shape the products they consume?
What does the text suggest about the experience of being a teenager in industrial societies?
What does the text suggest about the experience of being a teenager in industrial societies?
What is one consequence of increased life expectancy and lower birth rates in many industrial societies?
What is one consequence of increased life expectancy and lower birth rates in many industrial societies?
What percentage of families in the UK depend on grandparents for childcare?
What percentage of families in the UK depend on grandparents for childcare?
Which of the following is NOT given as a reason for grandparents providing childcare in many families?
Which of the following is NOT given as a reason for grandparents providing childcare in many families?
What is the contribution of grandparents NOT restricted to?
What is the contribution of grandparents NOT restricted to?
What is one way in which family roles and responsibilities are changing in post-industrial societies?
What is one way in which family roles and responsibilities are changing in post-industrial societies?
What has led to modifications in family structures, as argued by Smallwood and Wilson (2007)?
What has led to modifications in family structures, as argued by Smallwood and Wilson (2007)?
What is the 'pivot generation' or 'sandwich generation' referring to?
What is the 'pivot generation' or 'sandwich generation' referring to?
According to the passage, what is one reason why old age is often seen as a diminished identity in Western industrial societies?
According to the passage, what is one reason why old age is often seen as a diminished identity in Western industrial societies?
Which of the following factors is suggested to enhance the status of older people in a society?
Which of the following factors is suggested to enhance the status of older people in a society?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the reinvention and breaking up of elderly identities?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the reinvention and breaking up of elderly identities?
In the context of the passage, what is a gerontocracy?
In the context of the passage, what is a gerontocracy?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some Native American cultures?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some Native American cultures?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some societies?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some societies?
According to the passage, what is one factor that can contribute to the lower status of older people in nomadic societies?
According to the passage, what is one factor that can contribute to the lower status of older people in nomadic societies?
According to the passage, what is one way in which different societies interpret the meaning and significance of old age?
According to the passage, what is one way in which different societies interpret the meaning and significance of old age?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some societies?
According to the passage, what is one factor that contributes to the higher status of older people in some societies?
According to the passage, what is one way in which cultural attitudes to life after death (the afterlife) can influence the status of older people?
According to the passage, what is one way in which cultural attitudes to life after death (the afterlife) can influence the status of older people?
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Study Notes
The Social Construction of Childhood
- Childhood is socially constructed, meaning that its meaning and definition vary across societies and cultures.
- Philippe Ariès argues that childhood as a distinctive phase in social development only came into existence around three centuries ago.
- In pre-industrial society, children lived and worked alongside their parents, but the development of industrial society saw a gradual physical and cultural separation between children and adults.
Cross-Cultural Dimension
- The cross-cultural dimension highlights the diversity of childhood experiences across societies.
- Malinowski's (1922) study of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea found that pre-industrial tribal societies differed from industrial societies in several ways, including:
- Children were given more responsibility and rights.
- Adult-child relationships were closer, less strict, and more supportive.
- Children were encouraged to explore their sexuality.
Age and Family Life
- The social construction of age and family life varies across societies and cultures.
- Older people are represented as social problems and a burden on others in modern industrial societies.
- Retirement from work can be a significant rite of passage marking a diminished identity.
Grandparents and Family Structure
- In many modern industrial societies, grandparents are becoming an increasingly valuable family resource, particularly in childcare.
- Research in the UK has found that around 30% of UK families depend on grandparents for childcare, increasing to nearly 50% in lone-parent families.
- Grandparents also provide financial support for their grandchildren and are important for sociability and emotional support.
Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Aging
- Cross-cultural comparisons of aging show differences between societies, with traditional societies often valuing older people for their knowledge and experience.
- In modern societies like the UK and USA, old age is often seen as a diminished identity, characterized by a loss of status.
- Higher life expectancy and more wealthy lifestyles have contributed to the reinvention and breaking up of elderly identities.
The Status of Older People
- The status of older people depends on factors such as social organization, control of social resources, and cultural attitudes to life after death.
- In some societies, older people are valued for their skills of leadership and intimate knowledge of the community's history and ceremony.
- The key to social status is control over valued social and economic resources.
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