Construction of Childhood and Adolescence
February 10, 2011 by Yan Ping (Judy) Nie
The status of childhood is very vivid today. Modern day children are cared for, protected, and definitely experienced what we consider ‘childhood.’ However, I think children are growing up faster than they should be. They have knowledge of things that should have learned later on in life.
Here is one funny example of a three year-old girl crying over Justin Bieber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCm8tdHkfI. It is hilarious but then you think about all the young idols singing and talking about love and relationships and even sex. This corrupts the innocence of children, such as this three year-old. Media is making children grow up faster. These idols are what young children are going to model after. The toys that children play with affects them as well.
The Bratz dolls: http://images.theage.com.au/ftage/ffximage/2008/05/20/bratz_wideweb__470x302,0.jpg all have make up, skimpy outfits and heels on. Little girls will just follow this trend and think its normal. On the other side, boys have violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto. Is this what they’re supposed to enjoy playing?
Children are considered children until they are twelve, before they get into their teenage/adolescence years. Recently, there has been the development of “Tweens” and a whole new market for them. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloids/it%E2%80%99s-tween-time-517. There is childhood but it is slowly deteriorating to a shorter period of time.
