SOCS 2001 UCL Humanities Sociology of Childhood Essay

Sociology of Childhood 

Essay

The second summative (graded) part of the assessment is an independent essay. 

Please choose one of the questions below and construct a critical argument in response, drawing on content from across the module (not just one session) and 1-2 case studies (examples include, but are not limited to: research studies, policy documents, programme or intervention, media report, personal or professional experience and so on).

To what extent can and do children influence social constructions of childhood? 

How can contradictory representations of childhood exist simultaneously (e.g. evil and innocent; dangerous and in danger; etc)?

To what extent can we talk about the power of ‘adults’ over ‘children’? 

How and why has the value of childhood changed over time? 

To what extent are children’s rights a helpful tool for improving children’s lives?

How are constructions of childhood manifested and produced in policy and what are the consequences? 

What are the benefits and limitations of viewing children as agents? 

What creates unequal childhoods?