Assess the view that the modern family has become child centred.

A historian Philippe Aries (1960) argued that in the Middle Ages (10th to 13th century) childhood didn’t exist, children were not seen as having a different ‘nature’ or need from adults. In relation to this Edward Shorter (1975) argues that the high death rate encouraged indifference and neglect towards infants and it was likely that a parent would give a newly born the name of a dead sibling this shows that the modern gamily is child centred. Aries also argues that the idea of childhood came about in the late 13th century onwards, he describes the 20th century as ‘the century of the children’. Looking at this many people would say that this is evidence that the modern family has become child centred as in the past children were equal to adults, and adults were equal to children, however many people would disagree with this and say that the modern family hasn’t become child centred but they just show more love and care towards the children.

Children in the 21st century have more rights compared to children in the past and family sizes are really small compared to the past as the infant mortality rate has dropped this proves that the modern family is child centred because as there are fewer children in the family, parents are more to spoil them and love them and care for them more however some people believe that as there are fewer children in the family then parents are more likely to discipline them and as parents have more control over what children can or cannot do, what they can and can’t wear this proves that the modern family is not child centred.

In the 21st century by the time a child reaches there 21st birthday they will cost their parents £186,000 these costs will be covering presents, treats, clothes, outings etc. this proves that the modern family is child centred compared to parents in the past as children then worked and earned for themselves when they reach the age at which they can work.

In conclusion the modern family has become more child centred as there are fewer children in the family which means they are more pampered and spoiled, children now have more rights than children in the past which means they have more of a say in what they can or can’t do, also through the idea of separateness and this has happened in many ways e.g. through laws saying what children can or can’t do, another example would be through the way they are dressed, toys, food, books leisure activities etc. related to this is the idea of childhood as the ‘golden age’ of happiness and innocence, innocence could be referred to as being vulnerable and so must be protected from all the dangers from the adult world. So with this idea of separation and vulnerability many people would say that the modern family is child centred as extra precautions will be taken to make sure that the ‘vulnerable’ children are safe and sound, furthermore as the law has drawn a clear line of what children are allowed to do what they are required to do and what they are prohibited to do- this has had an impact on how the modern family is becoming more child centred, and lastly as the infant mortality rate has dropped parents become more emotionally attached to the children so this is another reason the modern family has become more child centred.