Using material from item A and elsewhere assess sociological explanations of changes in status of childhood.

There are two ways to look at the childhood; the ‘march of progress view’ against the ‘conflict’ view. The march of progress see’s society coming out of the dark age for children and into a child-caring society and that the state of childhood is the best it has ever been by progressing slowly in western societies. Mause (1974) is one sociologist who believes in this, he says that ‘the further back in history one goes, the lower the level of childcare, and the more likely children are to be killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorised and sexually abused’. This strongly agrees with the march of progress view of gradual childhood improvement towards recent societies where infant mortality has decreased, more government organisations for children and overall more cared for and valued. However the march of progress view is deeply argued by the ‘conflict view’ that perceives society based on a conflict between different social groups such as social classes or genders. They criticise the march of progress  in two ways, that there are inequalities among children in terms of the opportunities and risks they come across, it is believed that many children today remain unprotected and badly cared for and that children experience a lot more oppression and dependency; not more care and protection. The in-equalities are, according to Hillman (1993), gender-based for example in modern society boys are more likely to be allowed to cross or cycle on the road; use buses and go out after dark unaccompanied. This highlights how boys grow up with fewer restraints than girls and are given unfair social acceptance which may affect their socialisation into adults.

Item A describes the argument that the distinction between childhood and adulthood is once again becoming blurred. This reiterates the disappearance of childhood with no distinct separation of adults and children in the respect of rights and interests. Backing this up is Postman (1994) arguing that childhood is indeed ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’ with a growing similarity between the clothing of young boys/girls and adults; and the committing of adults crimes like murder dealt by childhood. This highlights the possibility of faults within modern societies and its socialisation of children e.g. unrestrained media viewing that displays violence, sex etc to the easy manipulated minds of children. However Postman can be seen to be focusing too much on specific factors like television at the expense of other important factors like the advancement of living standard and changes in law; all in which may well contribute to the ‘disappearance of childhood’. Also Opie (1993) argues that the disappearance of childhood is not occurring, through the study of children’s games, rhymes and songs she argues there is a strong line present between adults and children and that Postman’s theory that children’s unsupervised games are dying out is not true through studies that conclude children’s ability to create their own independent culture; separate from adults.

To conclude, the status and position of children will forever change and probably follow the society and its rules, laws, socialisations and beliefs; there is strongly weighted evidence that society’s childhood has improved from the historic suffering of children to modern child acknowledgment and care. Sociologists will continue the study of the childhood state in the future to identify any issues within society and its socialisation; ultimately benefiting the children who belong to the society.