Different Perspectives of Childhood: Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism
1. Introduction
Childhood is a time of innocence, a time when children are Carefree and have yet to experience the hardships of life. It is also a time of learning, when children are like sponges, soaking up information and experiences that will shape them into the adults they will become. The way we think about childhood has changed over time, and there are different perspectives on what childhood should be. In this paper, we will explore three different perspectives of childhood: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. We will also look at how different authors view childhood and how their views differ from the perspective they adhere to.
2. Three Perspectives of Childhood: Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism
2. 1. Functionalism
The functionalist perspective sees childhood as a time of innocence and apprenticeship. Children are seen as being not yet fully developed and in need of care and protection from the harshness of the world. They are seen as persons in their own right, but vulnerable and in need of guidance from adults. This perspective views childhood as a time when children learn the skills they will need to function in society as adults.
2. 2. Conflict Theory
The conflict perspective sees childhood as a time of inequality and social stratification. Children are seen as being at the bottom of the social hierarchy, with adults at the top. This view sees childhood as a time when adults exercise power over children and control their lives. This perspective views childhood as a time when children learn to conform to the rules and expectations of society and to accept their place in the social hierarchy.
2. 3 Symbolic Interactionism
The symbolic interactionist perspective sees childhood as a social construction that is created by adults through their interactions with children. This view sees children as active participants in their own socialization, rather than passive recipients of adult messages. This perspective views childhood as a time when children learn how to interact with others and how to create meaning in their lives.
3. Authors’ Views on Childhood
3.1 Peter Moss
In his book “Childhood Studies: A Reader in Perspectives of Childhood”, Peter Moss looks at childhood from a variety of perspectives, including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. He also looks at how different authors view childhood and how their views differ from the perspective they adhere to. Moss argues that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. He also argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
3 Moss argues that the functionalist perspective sees childhood as a time of innocence and apprenticeship, but that it fails to take into account the power dynamics between adults and children. He argues that the conflict perspective sees childhood as a time of inequality and social stratification, but that it does not take into account the positive aspects of childhood such as play and creativity. He argues that the symbolic interactionist perspective sees childhood as a social construction created by adults through their interactions with children, but that it does not take into account the agency of children themselves.
Moss concludes by arguing that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. He argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
3. 2 James Kincaid
In his book “Childhood Studies: A Reader in Perspectives of Childhood”, James Kincaid looks at childhood from a variety of perspectives, including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. He also looks at how different authors view childhood and how their views differ from the perspective they adhere to. Kincaid argues that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. He also argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
Kincaid argues that the functionalist perspective sees childhood as a time of innocence and apprenticeship, but that it fails to take into account the power dynamics between adults and children. He argues that the conflict perspective sees childhood as a time of inequality and social stratification, but that it does not take into account the positive aspects of childhood such as play and creativity. He argues that the symbolic interactionist perspective sees childhood as a social construction created by adults through their interactions with children, but that it does not take into account the agency of children themselves.
Kincaid concludes by arguing that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. He argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
3. 3 Carol Craig
In her book “Childhood Studies: A Reader in Perspectives of Childhood”, Carol Craig looks at childhood from a variety of perspectives, including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. She also looks at how different authors view childhood and how their views differ from the perspective they adhere to. Craig argues that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. She also argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
Craig argues that the functionalist perspective sees childhood as a time of innocence and apprenticeship, but that it fails to take into account the power dynamics between adults and children. She argues that the conflict perspective sees childhood as a time of inequality and social stratification, but that it does not take into account the positive aspects of childhood such as play and creativity. She argues that the symbolic interactionist perspective sees Childhood as a social construction created by adults through their interactions with children, but that it does not take into account the agency of children themselves.
Craig concludes by arguing that all perspectives have something to contribute to our understanding of childhood, but that none of them can provide a complete picture. She argues that our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.
3. 4 Conclusion
In conclusion, all three perspectives of childhood have something to offer in terms of our understanding of this important life stage. However, none of them can provide a complete picture. Our understanding of childhood is constantly changing, as our ideas about what is best for children change over time.