So they are seen to need a lengthy period of time where they are nurtured and socialised before they are seen as responsible adults in society. Jane Pilcher said “the most important feature of the modern idea of childhood is separateness. Childhood is seen as a clear and distinct life stage, and children in our society occupy a different status from adults”. Childhood isn’t a separate age status in all societies. This means it is not ‘universal’.
There is a belief that children’s lack of knowledge, experience and skills call for them to be nurtured and socialised for a protected time before they are ready for adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. Pilcher believes that the most important feature of childhood is separateness and that childhood itself is seen as a clear life stage which causes a separate status between children and adults. This separateness is emphasised in many different ways, for example, there are laws which regulate what children can and cannot do. Related to the idea of separateness of children’s status is the idea of childhood as a ‘golden age’ of happiness and innocence. However, this innocence means that children are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection from dangers of the adult world.
They argue that the position that children occupy in society is not fixed, but differs between times, places and cultures. Childhood is not fixed but socially constructed, we know this as there are many laws out there which have been put there to construct the way childhood should be. It is generally accepted in our society today that childhood is a very special time of life, and that children are fundamentally different from adults. Sociologist such as Jane Pilcher sees it that children have a certain lack of skills, knowledge and experience and need a long time before they mature into adults and are responsible to understand the responsibilities that come with adulthood. As Jane Pilcher (1995) believes the most important feature of the modern idea of childhood is separateness.
This also relates to how children are seen to be young adults. We tend to view children in the UK and western world as incompetent and dependant but this isn’t the case through out the world. An example of this would be childcare. It is illegal for a child under the age of 14 to look after another child unsupervised because of incompetence and being irresponsible. In other cultures these policies are non exsistant.
Researchers have pointed out that minimum drinking age laws in the U.S. are a post-Prohibition phenomenon. Prior to the repeal of the Eighteenth amendment (Prohibition), state laws prohibiting minors from possession or use of alcohol were unusual. Adolescent alcohol consumption was regulated by the informal controls of family, community, peers, and self-restraint. The only drinking controls that have enjoyed any success over the centuries are social and cultural constraints. I continue to witness the fundamental goodness of our young people and their capacity to be truly adult in their behavior, when given the chance.
HOW WE ‘CONSTRUCT’ CHILDHOOD TODAY (western societies). Western societies have definite ideas - cultural norms – about childhood • It is a special and distinct time of life - separate and different (like middle age, old age etc – a very precise ‘phase’ of your life). • Because of this the status of children is very different from adults – this means that – • They are treated as unequal – not the equals of adults • They have special laws which prevent them from doing things • Because they are regarded as vulnerable there are special laws protecting them which don’t apply to adults • The separateness of childhood is re-enforced by the idea that they should wear different clothes and behave differently and have products and services which are for them only • Children are not yet .mature’ and fully formed – they cannot run their own lives – so….. • Children need a long period of training, education and socialisation into the ways of our society before they can be fully fledged ‘adults. • The vulnerability and specialness of children means that they are exempt from normal adult activities like paid work and spend their time protected in the family and at school. • There is also an idea that childhood is somehow a
European countries have a lower legal drinking and appear to have lesser alcohol related problems. Trying to enforce the drinking age of 21 is ineffective and pricey. Even though the law says one has to be 21, teen drinking is a major problem and there will never be a way to stop it. It would be more effective to spend money on educating the youth about how to drink responsibly rather than attempt to enforce the drinking age of 21 and continuously waste money and effort.” For 21 years, the legal drinking age has been set at 21 years. This has been an issue topic for quite some time now, and more states are considering revising the law.
Theories of Childhood ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Childhood is generally considered to be either a natural biological stage of development or a modern idea or invention. Theories of childhood are concerned with what a child is, the nature of childhood, the purpose or function of childhood, and how the notion of the child or childhood is used in society. The concept of childhood, like any invention, was forged from a potent relationship between ideas and technologies within a frame of social, political, and economic needs. Theories of childhood as a concept are often highly colored or emotive, that is to say, they deal with stark contrasts revealing the development over time of the psychological or emotional significance of childhood as viewed from the state of adulthood. Up until the 1990s, theories of childhood tended to be determined in a "top-down" approach which some have described as "imperialistic."
Researching Social Class and Single Parenthood History has established for us the possibility that changing environments and atmospheres can cause shifts in psychological and social standings (Kottak, 2000, pg 12). How these things are affected and what can be done to discover the nature of these results can only be realized through experiment and research. Science attempts to answer questions in order to further our knowledge. Using this knowledge can help us make changes that can positively affect life and the world as we know it. It can also help predict the expected future statistics, if things continue the way they are.
The government has begun to realize the ongoing issue that is causing problems. In trying to prevent the issue, new laws have been passed making the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle illegal. Although these laws are effective, not everyone follows these laws. The Indiana law states that drivers younger than 18 years of age are banded from texting and cell phone use while driving or operating a vehicle. The law also states that all drivers, regardless of age are banned from text messaging while driving.