Examine the view that childhood is socially constructed.
The view that childhood is not entirely a social construction, is based on the biologically constructed boundary of sex, male / female. This is evident in the biological differences between male and females, chromosomes, hormones and genitals. Theorist argue that sex is something that is separate from gender, as gender is socially constructed, and therefore, there are basic natural constancy's regarding ones sex which would contribute towards determining childhood. Carol Gilligan and Nancy Chodorow identified that the possession of certain genitals does support a common enough meaning across a range of cultures to make possible a fundamentally homogenous set of generalizations regarding a child's development. .
There have been recent feminist theorists, Nicholson, argues that if the body itself is always seen through social interpretation, then sex is not something that is separate from gender, but is rather brought under it.
The views that childhood is a social construction are cultural variations, social class and historical changes. Many children in less economically developed countries are treated harshly and the experience of childhood is extremely different from that in the industrialized world. Children in these countries are constantly at risk of early death, because of poverty and the lack of basic health care services. They are unlikely to have access to education and find themselves occupying adult roles. .
Childhood in Britain varies according to social class for example middle- class children may be encouraged from an early age to aim for university. As they are more likely to receive cultural support from their parents. Working- class childhood may be made more difficult by the experience of poverty.
Children who lived between 1700- 1800 were an economic asset, as the industry depended on the skills of the young, and they provided insurance for their parents in later life.