1.26 - Issues of Power Between Parents & Children - notes

Understanding age patriarchy

Age patriarchy refers to the unequal power relationship between adults and children, where adults, particularly parents, hold significant authority over younger individuals. This concept highlights how children are often subordinate in family dynamics.

The rise of child-centred families and children's rights

In the 20th century, the nuclear family became more child-centred, leading to children acquiring the right to be protected from external threats.

Key developments in children's rights

• Protection from threats - Children acquired the right to be protected from external threats.
• International recognition - The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child extended basic human rights to children, just as for adults.

Ways parents exercise control over children

Economic dependence

Children have few opportunities to earn their own money, making them reliant on parents for essentials like food, shelter, and clothing.

Control over space and surveillance

Parents often monitor and restrict where children go, driven by concerns such as road safety or 'stranger danger'. As a result, children spend more time at home under adult supervision.

Sociologist Hugh Cunningham noted that the area eight-year-olds can explore alone has reduced to one-ninth of its size from 25 years ago, demonstrating this 'shrinking home habitat'.

Legal and behavioural authority

Laws grant parents the right to enforce social controls, such as ensuring school attendance. Legally, childhood ends at 18, giving parents authority over decisions until then.

Control over time and routines

Adults dictate children's daily schedules, including wake-up times, meals, school hours, play, television viewing, and bedtime.

Influence on the pace of growing up

Parents decide when children are ready for certain activities, responsibilities, or behaviours, controlling the speed at which they mature.

Control over bodies

Parents regulate children's physical appearance and actions, such as posture, clothing, hairstyles, or piercings. They also manage bodily contact, like washing, dressing, or cuddling, while setting rules on self-touch, such as prohibiting nose-picking or thumb-sucking.

The concept of toxic childhood

Sociologists highlight that age patriarchy can lead to negative outcomes, including what is known as a 'toxic childhood'.

Defining toxic childhood

Toxic childhood, as argued by sociologist Sue Palmer, occurs when children are damaged by a diet of junk food, excessive exposure to television and computer games, and insufficient love or discipline from parents due to long working hours.

Causes of toxic childhood

• Neglect and exploitation - Not all children experience positive family life; some face neglect or abuse, making the home exploitative and dangerous.
• Parental work demands - Long working hours reduce quality time, leading to reliance on junk food, television, and computer games as substitutes for interaction.

Evidence of child abuse and exploitation

Child abuse is a major social problem in the UK.

Radford's NSPCC study on child abuse

This research, conducted by Lorraine Radford for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), examined the prevalence of abuse in the UK.

Results:

• 1 in 20 children had experienced sexual abuse.
• 1 in 14 children had been physically abused.