Childhood Perspectives Through History

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Questions and Answers

What was a common reason for infanticide in ancient societies?

Enhancing family legacy

Increasing social mobility

Population control (correct)

Cultural celebration

Which period marks the beginning of a greater emphasis on childhood according to Empey, Stafford, and Hay?

Indifference to childhood

Preoccupation with childhood

Discovery of childhood (correct)

Reformation period

During which period were children mainly regarded as property of their fathers?

Early Middle Ages

Indifference to childhood (correct)

Discovery of childhood

Pre-industrial age

What dramatic change in perspective towards children occurred during the 16th century?

The Reformation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following societal views was prevalent before the 15th century?

Indifference to childhood Signup and view all the answers

What was a severe method used during the Middle Ages to increase a child's begging effectiveness?

Physical mutilation Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of viewing children as inadequate versions of adults?

Lack of special care and protection Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the laws against infanticide during the Middle Ages have?

Increased value placed on children Signup and view all the answers

How were children viewed during the religious movement characterized by a rise in Protestantism?

As fragile creatures of God needing protection. Signup and view all the answers

What did John Locke mean by describing children as 'tabula rasa'?

Children are blank slates that need to be molded. Signup and view all the answers

What was Rousseau's perspective on a parent’s training of children?

It may disrupt a child’s natural moral development. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Industrial Revolution for poor children?

It led to exposure to hazardous working conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What did Etta Wheeler discover about Mary Ellen Wilson?

She was being abused by her parents. Signup and view all the answers

How did Henry Bergh contribute to the case of Mary Ellen Wilson?

He exposed the abuse publicly in the press. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the societal response during the court case involving Mary Ellen Wilson?

Concerned individuals advocating for child rights. Signup and view all the answers

Which belief about children did the religious movement and subsequent educators challenge?

Children are born with original sin needing correction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about perpetrators of child maltreatment?

They are usually mentally ill individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is mentioned as a weak, indirect cause of child maltreatment?

Acceptance of violence in society. Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological trait is commonly found elevated in child maltreatment offenders?

Stress levels. Signup and view all the answers

What does social learning theory suggest about children's behavior in relation to violence?

Children learn that abusive behavior is acceptable through observation. Signup and view all the answers

What observation has research found regarding the personality types of abusive parents?

They do not conform to any identifiable personality type. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of Ambroise Tardieu's work regarding child protection?

The poor working conditions and the effects on children's well-being Signup and view all the answers

How has the concept of battered-child syndrome influenced the perception of child maltreatment perpetrators?

It created a direct link between illness and abusive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which term did Dr. C. Henry Kempe and his colleagues introduce to describe observable symptoms in abused children?

Battered child syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of the sociological models of child abuse?

They often show only weak support for their explanations. Signup and view all the answers

Which contributing factor increases the risk of child abuse but does not establish a direct cause?

Economic disadvantage. Signup and view all the answers

In what decade did the full recognition of child abuse as a social problem occur?

1960s Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of babies and young children does Dr. Kempe suspect to have been physically abused upon entering pediatric emergency rooms?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which mental health issue was identified as a leading cause of child abuse during the 1960s?

Parental psychopathology Signup and view all the answers

What method did Dr. Kempe utilize to investigate suspected cases of physical abuse in children?

X-rays of the skeleton and long bones Signup and view all the answers

What type of treatment did Kempe and associates argue was necessary for adults who physically abuse children?

Psychiatric treatment Signup and view all the answers

What did Tardieu's empirical study focus on regarding child maltreatment?

Physical signs of sexual abuse in children Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with mothers who commit physical abuse according to the exosystem model?

Fewer peer relationships Signup and view all the answers

What cultural aspect does the macrosystem examine in relation to child abuse?

Collective societal attitudes toward violence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the ecological/transactional model developed by Cicchetti and Lynch?

Developmental outcomes of child abuse Signup and view all the answers

According to attachment theory, what is a fundamental task during early childhood?

Developing secure attachment relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the attachment relationships as described in the content?

Encouraging competition among siblings Signup and view all the answers

What societal issue is highlighted as affecting families within the macrosystem?

Racism and its associated stresses Signup and view all the answers

When does attachment begin according to the developmental perspective?

At birth Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of child discipline is examined through the macrosystem?

Cultural values regarding physical punishment Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic behavior is typical of a securely attached child upon reunion with the caregiver?

The child seeks physical contact and positively greets the caregiver. Signup and view all the answers

Which subtype of insecure attachment is characterized by avoidance of the caregiver and minimal distress during separation?

Insecure Avoidant Attachment Signup and view all the answers

In children with insecure ambivalent-resistant attachment, how do they typically react to separation from their caregiver?

They show extreme distress and difficulty separating. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes disorganized/disoriented attachment from other attachment types?

Children have a disorganized coping strategy for distress. Signup and view all the answers

Which attachment type is characterized by a child preoccupied with the caregiver and difficulty exploring their environment?

Insecure Ambivalent-Resistant Attachment Signup and view all the answers

What reaction do securely attached children generally exhibit when they need to check on their caregiver during exploration?

They make eye contact or physical contact with the caregiver. Signup and view all the answers

How do children with insecure avoidant attachment behave in the presence of their caregiver?

They exhibit indifference and lack interest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common coping strategy for children with disorganized/disoriented attachment?

Confusion in approaching the caregiver when distressed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Historical Overview of Childhood

The history of childhood is a period of significant change.
From a time when children were often seen as small adults, or even as burdens, to the modern view of childhood as a special phase requiring protection and nurturing.
The level of child care has improved over time.
The likelihood of children being killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorized, or sexually abused has decreased over time.
This shift toward valuing and protecting children is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging only within the last 100 years.

Historical Practices

Infanticide, the act of killing infants, was practiced in many societies in the past.
Infanticide was often motivated by population control, appeasement of gods, limitation of family size, or shame associated with an unwed mother.
These practices reflect a societal indifference towards children and their inherent value.
During the Middle Ages infanticide laws were passed but some children were sold or injured by their parents to make money for their families.

Childhood in Different Eras

In earlier eras, children were often seen as small versions of their parents or valued as a small workforce. They were expected to contribute to the family and community.
The Reformation of the 16th century, with its emphasis on Protestantism, signified a shift in the view of children. Children were now viewed as fragile, needing protection, and the responsibility of a parent.
John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau influenced child rearing, advocating the "blank slate" theory– children were born without inherent character, and could be shaped into moral beings through education.
19th Century and the Industrial Revolution saw horrific child labor conditions. But this period marked a new age of abuse for poor children who were forced into the labor force, with long hours and dangerous conditions.

Historical Models of Child Abuse

Psychological Models

In the 1960s parental psychopathology was identified as the leading cause of child abuse.
This view suggests that parents who abuse have mental health issues, such as a personality disorder or psychosis.
Early research assumed that child abuse perpetrators had an illness or mental health disorder.
Later research revealed that a smaller percentage than previously thought demonstrated psychopathology.

Sociological Models

Poverty level, social status, isolation, and societal acceptance of violence have been documented as risk factors related to child abuse and neglect.
Much sociological research attempting to show a causal link between poverty and abuse has been criticized for showing weak and indirect relationships and/or not taking other factors into account.

Social learning theory explains how children learn to imitate violent behavior from those around them.
Children who are exposed to violence, either directly or indirectly, witness violence and learn to believe it is an appropriate method to solve interpersonal conflicts and resolve problems. This is often modeled in social environments.
This theory shows the risk factors children have in family situations or communities.

Ecological Models

Ecological models explain abuse within the interconnected system of multiple factors that influence families and individual children.
These factors exist within multiple levels (i.e. family, social networks, community, society). They influence and interact with each other.
Abuse is not due to a single cause or factor but caused by interactions of factors at different levels of the environment.
ontogenic—exploring the childhood of abusive parents.
Microsystem— many factors within the family and immediate environment.
Exosystem— broader influences and pressures from outside the family (work, social services, community).
Macrosystem— larger social and cultural forces (racism, societal attitudes about violence).

Ecological/transactional Models

This model incorporates Belsky's ecological model and considers the effects of child abuse and development.

Attachment Theory

A fundamental task of early childhood is the development of secure attachment relationships in which the caregiver attends to a child’s needs and physical and emotional well-being.
Attachment theory describes how children form mental representations of their relationships with caregivers, and how this "internal working model" influences future relationships.
Attachment can be categorized into secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant/ambivalent, and insecure-disorganized/disoriented.

Key Points from Studies of Child Abuse

There are different factors that contribute to child abuse and neglect.
These factors can be viewed from multiple perspectives (psychological, sociological, ecological), involving interactions in nested levels (i.e. family, community). The effect on the children has multiple influences.
Child development is a critical factor to acknowledge. This understanding needs to exist to create effective approaches to prevent child abuse.

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Description

This quiz explores the evolving views on childhood and the treatment of children throughout various historical periods. Key themes include infanticide, societal perceptions, and influential philosophical thoughts on child development. Test your knowledge on how these perspectives shifted from antiquity to the Industrial Revolution.