Summary: Has Modern Culture Ruined Childhood

Many sociologists see childhood as socially constructed; as something created and defined by society. Many argue that what people mean by childhood, and the position that children occupy in society, is not fixed but differs between different times, places and cultures. It can be seen that by comparing the western idea of childhood today with childhood in the past and other societies. It can be determined by many sociologists that there have been many changes in society that have affected children over the last 50 years, however there are several there are several different sociological views on whether these changes have been beneficial to children or not.

Childhood itself is a slightly ambiguous term, and is not a fixed definite period of life. The book “AS level sociology” written by Rob webb, Hal Westergaard, Kieth Trobe and Liz Steel defines childhood as “ a socially defined age status” going on to say that there are major differences in how childhood is defined, both historically, and culturally, similarly, Stephen Wagg says of childhood;

This technology revolution sparked a debate on children’s use of technology. Children are constantly using iPads, iPhones, tablets, and other computerized devices. By over exposing children to technology, they are being robbed of the mental stimulation that comes from doing real, non computerized, activities. It has gotten to the point where one can see a two-year-old navigate an iPhone with ease but struggle to speak. Sixty-nine percent of children aged two to five can use a computer mouse, but only eleven percent can tie their own shoelaces (Generation Tech More Kids Can Play Computer Games than Ride a Bike). Also, children are at an all time low in the creativity department

When children are told they are ‘special’ and are praised for everything it does two things: it reduces their aspiration to put in the effort and it reduces their want to be challenged. In the article, “ Are Kids Too Coddled?” by Frank Bruni, published in New York Times on November 23,2013, Bruni argues that today’s kids are living in a world where they are protected from the world’s hardships. Bruni points to how “ [many n kids at all grade levels are Bubble-Wrapped in a culture that praises effort nearly as much as it does accomplishment”(par.23). Not long after the Common Core system was put into place, parents were pulling their kids out of tests because the results upset the kids and they said they were “too hard.” Not only are the parent making sure the kids are protected from feeling bad, the schools are too.Sports teams are making sure everyone gets to be captain and trophies are awarded to everyone who plays. With everyone winning and doing things the “easy way” these kids

Discuss the basic tenants and evaluate the utility of the new sociology of childhood in gaining a better understanding of young people.

The organization Alliance For childhood (2012) is concerned with the rise of and overuse of screen technology especially on very young children. According to the Alliance For childhood (2012), technology is interfering with “young children’s active and hands-on creative play, time with nature, and their face-to-face interactions with caring adults and other children” (p. 5). The Alliance For childhood (2012) believe that because technology is moving at a rapid rate educators do not have enough time to fully understand the ramification it has on education, developmental, ethical, and social aspect of their design and use. Additionally, the Alliance For childhood (2012) are concerned with the decline of creative play that technology has on

Childhood is usually understood as a set of experiences and behaviours, gained in the early stages of the human existence, considered as the preparation for the adult world. However, the history of childhood is a very complex topic and it has become a very influential area of study in recent years. In 1962, the ‘Centuries of Childhood’ by Philippe Ariés introduced the idea that childhood was a new creation developed in recent centuries and as a concept it was believed to be nonexistent before the seventeenth century. This concept means that there was no awareness of the process of childhood. In several studies of the medieval period, Ariés noticed that childhood was not acknowledged or even attempted to be portrayed during this period. For

Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today. In the article Beware the quick tech fix when… by Nancy Carlsson-Paige, the there is a shocking statistic that stuck out to me: “72 percent of iTunes’ top-selling ‘education’ apps are designed for preschoolers and elementary school children.” In the same article, Carlsson states that kids learn through direct play and hands-on experiences with people, materials and nature. Through research we know that kids need first-hand engagement. Children are spending more and more time engaged in passive play, using a keyboard or electronic device. There are significant benefits and drawbacks of technology on the fine arts and play.

In her essay “Doing Nothing Is Something,” Anna Quindlen states that our imagination is created when we are doing nothing. When our mind is not distracted, we take time to ponder upon thoughts. Children’s unlimited usage of technology takes away key aspects of a child’s development. Because children become engrossed in technology, they lose the ability to form important bonds and lose childhood experiences that cannot be replaced, but on the other hand we do have to recognize technology plays an important role in this and future generations.

The current generation of children is completely different than the preceding ones. They are living in the digital age. “Technology has blended in with daily activity to become a way of life and children today take for granted all of which is automated. It is hard for kids nowadays to imagine a world that existed without all of the gadgets, electronics and seamless operations that computer technology provides.” (3) “Children in the United States devote some 40 hours a week to television, video games and the Internet.” (12) Many psychologists and researchers are concerned about the impact that technology has on children. Children, tomorrow’s future parents and leaders, are being consumed by the negative effects that technology had on their

Today’s technology has greatly impacted the young children’s everyday lives. Phones, tablets, and computers are all a form of technology that impact the way kids are influenced. Some children get phones or computers at young ages and it can cause kids to depend on it to entertain them. Eventually they will allow the technology to take over and have it become the form of communication between friend and family instead of face to face. As parents continue to buy their children new technology they don’t monitor the amount of time their children spend on the Internet. Technology is becoming more advanced overtime which causes children to become more attached and unable to function without it near by.

Play is inevitable when it comes to children. Given the right environment and objects (of any sort), children will find a way to play. Jarvis, et al state that educators must offer inspiring, playful environments which include hands-on activities and interesting resources. This will empower children to educate themselves (2009). Along the same line, Wood and Attfield consider that an environment inclusive of varied resources will provide room for growth in their learning and will support the child’s “creativity, inventiveness and originally” (2005, p.231).

With the expansion in technology, children are hastily becoming more and more inactive. In the past century, kids would play outside from sunrise to sunset. Little did they realize, that playtime served

“For young children, there is no distinction between play and learning; they are one and the same. Playing is a priority in early childhood, yet not all play is the same” (Butler, 2008, p. 1). Since the beginning of mankind children have imitated adults and learned to survive through play. Evidence of this includes toys and board games from 6,000 years ago that have been found in Egypt and Asia (Dollinger, 2000). In the last two centuries, child’s play has been observed and studied by theorists and recognized as an important tool for adult life. Three theorists that studied children and spent their lives researching how children develop were Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. These theorists agreed that from the time a child is

Whilst it can be argued that technology has enhanced many aspects of our lives, it cannot replace real life completely. Sue Palmer, in her seminal work on child development, described how, as a result of over-protective parenting or due to very real safety concerns, traditional play has been replaced by an over-reliance on technology; a “screen-based lifestyle” and she argues that: