Social Construction of Childhood Essay - 1286 Words

1. Introduction Social constructionism gives meaning to phenomenon in social context and connections between culture and society build up realities in their circumstances. The studies of this idea have been conducted more than thirty years by a number of North American, British and continental writers (Burr, 1995). However, in childhood studies this notion appears later on. It is mostly held universally, childhood is a stage that biologically existing in human life in early years. It should be considered this childhood is constructed in the society. As a social being, it brings into the mind the relationship between society and child, inevitably. However, the dominant understanding of childhood attributes biological and social†¦show more content†¦This paper aims to suggest social construction is an important approach when it comes to explain childhood phenomenon, but it must be considerate biological components. Background theories of Social constructionism Starting with an overview of social constructionism in very general terms leads to build more explicit an understanding of child and childhood in a social world. The notion of social constructionism is defined in diverse disciplines and instead of generating a single description there are a number of thoughts. â€Å"It is sometimes called a movement, at other times a position, a theory, a theoretical orientation, an approach; psychologists remain unsure of its status† (Stam 2001, p. 294)†. Vivien (1995, p. 10) points out that the origin of social constructionism stems from two to three hundred years ago in the period of enlightenment, modernism and postmodernism. Berger and Luckmann’ (1966) book The Social Construction of Reality as the first book to have the title of â€Å"social construction†, has made an influential contribution in recent studies (Hacking, 1999). In this book, questioning everyday life realities and giving examples from it, shows the imp ortance of social relations and the language that we used. Hacking’s (1999) The Social Construction of What? offers up-to-date and logical instances which enable us to comprehend these aspects. He lists a number of things that can beShow MoreRelatedSocial Construction Of Childhood Essay770 Words   |  4 Pagesmeaning of social construction of childhood. I am very familiar with the history of psychology and children’s literature. My grandmother used to live with us when I was a young, and she told me many stories of the past. For this reason, I am able to link the materials I study to the real world. The social construction of childhood is somehow new to me. Especially the way Postman (1999) expresses social construction of childhood. For example, he stated, â€Å"In the twentieth century, childhood began toRead MoreChildhood Is The Social Construction Of Children1606 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood is the social construction of children, where they develop and under stand different relationships and cultures in their society. Children grow up during their childhood, when they realise their â€Å"sense of meaning in their lives† (Layard and Dunn 2009, p.9), by socializing and personal development. Childhood starts with a family, which is the beginning of life. Family is where children first learn about the world. In children’s perspective, as long as family members love each other, it isRead MoreChildhood And The Family A Social Construction1497 Words   |  6 Pagesdirectly influences the childhood and family relationship, something I aim to explore in this assignment. Is childhood and the family a social construction? Childhood according to Aries (1960) in his book ‘Centuries of Childhood’ is that childhood is not seen as a natural occurrence but a concept created by society. This has been argued and furthermore been researched by Cunningham (2006) in his book the ‘Invention of Childhood’, where he highlights the historical features of childhood in the Middle AgesRead MoreThe Social Construction of Childhood Essay2194 Words   |  9 Pagesand across cultures. â€Å"The essence of childhood studies is that childhood is a social and cultural phenomenon† (James, 1998). Evident that there are in fact multiple childhoods, a unifying theme of childhood studies is that childhood is a social construction and aims to explore the major implications on future outcomes and adulthood. Recognizing childhood as a social construction guides exploration through themes to a better understanding of multiple childhoods, particularl y differences influencingRead MoreEssay on Social Construction of Child and Childhood1406 Words   |  6 PagesSocial construction of child and childhood To start with an overview of social constructionism in very general terms leads to build understandings of child and childhood in a social world more explicitly. Notion of social construction is defined in diverse disciplines and instead of generating a description there are a number of thoughts. â€Å"It is sometimes called a movement, at other times a position, a theory, a theoretical orientation, an approach; psychologists remain unsure of its status (StamRead MoreAssess the Sociological Explanation That Childhood Is a Social Construction.1499 Words   |  6 Pagesexplanation that childhood is a social construction. Childhood is the time of a person’s life when they are a child. Childhood is said to be socially constructed, meaning that it has not been influenced by nature but has been shaped by the quality of family life and the culture within society. The social construction of childhood points out that childhood is dependent on a number of social factors rather than a biological stage. Sociologists argue about what the term ‘childhood’ actually means. TheyRead MoreTo What Extent Can Childhood Be Considered a Social Construction?1489 Words   |  6 Pageswhat extent can childhood be considered a social construction? This essay will analyse the major experiences by which childhood is constructed: one determined by the society and the other examined personally. Following this approach will be explained socially constructed childhood that asserts children’s attitudes, expectations and understandings that are defined by a certain society or culture. Furthermore various aspects of childhoods will be taken into account in relation to social, economic, historicalRead MoreExamine How Social, Historical and Spatial Constructions of Childhood and or Youth Inform the Design, Practices and Values of a Selected Institution of Childhood or Young People.733 Words   |  3 PagesExamine how social, historical and spatial constructions of childhood and or youth inform the design, practices and values of a selected institution of childhood or young people. Childhood is not a biological state, unlike infancy (Postman) it is a construction placed upon a group of humans by society (James and Prout). Differing societies have different views of what a child is and should be. The ideas surrounding children and childhood not only differ within different societies there are alsoRead MoreCo Constructive Environments Create Learning Opportunities For Children927 Words   |  4 Pages Co-constructive environments create learning opportunities for children. The learning strategy of co-construction is an extension of the philosophy of constructivism that maintains interpretation is required to â€Å"make meaning† of the world (Schwandt, as cited in MacNaughton Williams, 2009). The early childhood setting often bases their program on the developmental play curriculum as this relates to Piaget’s theory of children’s cognition. This approach is about the child constructing their ownRead MoreHow Childhood Has Changed over the Centuries1220 Words   |  5 Pagesideas about childhood over the centuries, there are several points of discussion that arise. Many ideas surrounding the change and evolved over the centuries, ideas such as the views towards education and the impact of the industrial revolution on westerns societies views towards childhood, due to the limited space, this essay will focus on two underlying issues which have contributed greatl y to the changing ideas about childhood over the centuries, which are; the recognition of childhood and innocence