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What Is Sociology of Childhood?

Emily Daw
Emily Daw

The sociology of childhood is a sub-field of sociology that developed in the late 20th century. It seeks to define the nature of childhood and its relationship to society of as a whole. Relationships involving children, children's rights, and biological and cultural aspects of childhood are all subjects of research within the sociology of childhood.

Sociologists differ in the types of relationships that they study when researching children. Some researchers concentrate on the interactions between children and adults, making sociology of childhood largely a subset of sociology of family. Others focus on children's relationships with one another and the ways in which those relationships form their own subcultures.

Three generations of one family.
Three generations of one family.

Some models of the sociology of childhood describe childhood as a purely social construction, rather than a universal phenomenon or biological necessity. Researchers defending or working from this model may contrast the discourses surrounding childhood in differing societies. Their results often challenge the Western notion of childhood as a happy, sheltered period of development.

The sociology of childhood is a sub-field of sociology.
The sociology of childhood is a sub-field of sociology.

Prior to the 1980s, childhood had been viewed primarily through the lenses of socialization and developmental psychology. In developmental psychology, children are seen largely as passive beings who develop along a more or less biologically determined pathway. Socialization theories view children as passive receptors of culture who are not yet fully socialized.

Some sociologists focus on children's relationships among themselves and with other family members.
Some sociologists focus on children's relationships among themselves and with other family members.

Beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, however, sociologists began developing alternative theories of childhood that described children as actively participating in their own development. This ability to make choices is known as agency in the broader field of sociology. Children's agency is the subject of much debate in the contemporary sociology of childhood research.

Sociologists might study the impact of media on children.
Sociologists might study the impact of media on children.

Differing conceptions of children's rights may arise from these and other contrasting opinions about the nature of childhood. The notion that childhood is a construct rather than a necessary fact, according to some researchers, denies that children ought to be given a protected status in society. These sociologists are likely to view children as a minority group who do not have the power or ability to control most aspects of their quality of life and, therefore, ought to be given special protection.

Discussion Comments

anon335225

How does sociology of childhood affect those from an Aboriginal background?

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    • Three generations of one family.
      By: Monkey Business
      Three generations of one family.
    • The sociology of childhood is a sub-field of sociology.
      By: Petro Feketa
      The sociology of childhood is a sub-field of sociology.
    • Some sociologists focus on children's relationships among themselves and with other family members.
      By: Monart Design
      Some sociologists focus on children's relationships among themselves and with other family members.
    • Sociologists might study the impact of media on children.
      By: Myst
      Sociologists might study the impact of media on children.
    • Sociologists may study how children get along with one another.
      By: Rossario
      Sociologists may study how children get along with one another.
    • The sociology of childhood examines interactions that impact a child's development.
      By: Monkey Business
      The sociology of childhood examines interactions that impact a child's development.
    • Involvement in sports can teach children a variety of social skills.
      By: Isaiah Love
      Involvement in sports can teach children a variety of social skills.