Sociology 102
15:11
5 Basic assumptions people make about childhood
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Shape questions sociologists ask about childhood
“New” Sociology of Childhood- 5 Basic Tenets: 1
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1. Childhood is socially constructed
o
There are many childhoods
Tween, toddler, kid, baby, teenager
Varying of name by age
Some are economically cut-offs
o
Time and space shape childhood
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2. Childhood is a social category and a social status
o
People designated as children are treated differently in society than those
designated s adults
o
Based on being labeled as a status of child
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3. Children have agency
o
Socialization is multi-directional. Kids affect adults, each other, and the
social world
o
Socialization not only a process of internalization but one of appropriation
reinvention, reproduction
Kids are active and create and are social actors in the world (make a
difference)
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4. Children are social actors in their own right with social worlds in need
of study in and of themselves
o
Children are not simply pre-actors preparing for “real”/ adult social life
Kids have an affect in economy- affect what their parents buy and mow
lawns, baby sit, and others
o
Children have their own cultures worthy of study
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They make their own rhymes, songs and games
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5. Children are also similar to adults
o
Children (like adults) are active participants in organized and institutional
activities
o
Children are affected by major societal developments and events
o
Children are agentic actors like adults
Sociological Research Methods
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Sociology is based on
empirical
research
o
Gets its data from going out in the real world, observation of social world
o
Data gathered systematically by a series of scientific principles
o
Sociology is not just opinion
o
Sociology must consider the ways their data are shaped by the researcher
Research Approaches
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Deductive
o
Specific question
o
Hypothesis
Independent variable-> dependent variable
Socio-economic class-> career aspirations
o
Method
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Operationalizes variables- turning class background into something you
can measure (based on money you or parents make)
Measure career aspirations- surveys
o
Chooses a sample
Who are you going to ask?
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- Spring '08
- MCGINN
- Sociology, real world, social world, Basic assumptions people
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