SOCIOL 1170: Sociology of Childhood

What does it mean to be a child? What is it like to be a child? Drawing on the tools of sociology, we will see how children’s lives and life chances are shaped by their social position, their social contexts, and the broad social structures in their society. Additionally, we will examine how the very notions of “childhood” and “adolescence” are socially constructed, varying across history and cultures rather than stemming from biology alone. We will consider why contemporary constructions of children are so contradictory—sometimes framing them as victims needing protection, and sometimes as deviants needing correction—and what these views say about broader societal anxieties. Next, we will examine several key influences on children’s socialization, highlighting how class, gender and race shape children’s experiences. Throughout, we will consider how children actively shape their own social worlds, and how their existence shapes society itself. We will close by examining several social issues related to children.