How the categories of “youth” and “childhood” vary over time and across cultures.
Consider how the categories of “youth” and “childhood” vary over time and across cultures. To do this, you will answer a series of questions regarding photos you select of the “jobs” of young people in three different contexts: (1) 19th and early 20th-century America; (2) Present day America; and (3) Present Day India, Nigeria, or Brazil (select one).
In present day United States culture, childhood is a nurturing time of carefree exploration and personal development, where a child’s main job is to go to school. However, this was not always the way we understood youth and childhood in the U.S., and it is not how it is understood across all countries. In fact, the concept of childhood is linked closely to social class identities. In other words, in societies (or families) that have more socioeconomic resources, childhood is a time period set aside for parental nurturing, carefree exploration, and personal development. On the other hand, in contexts of severe economic hardships, childhood is a luxury that many families cannot afford. Instead, children enter the labor force at a much younger age as a necessity of family survival (Barone 2015).
Explore the ways that the social identity of “youth” and the category of “childhood” vary across the three social contexts mentioned above by incorporating photos of the expected jobs of young people in each context. Using your selected photos and assigned readings (e.g., course text, resources provided below, supplemental materials provided by your instructor, and two additional scholarly sources), create a 12-slide PowerPoint presentation (including one title slide and one references slide in APA style).
Your PowerPoint presentation should include two main parts:
Seven of your slides must contain photos with brief descriptions. Be sure to include a minimum of three photos for each of the three social contexts (you can include multiple photos per slide). You must obtain photos from public Internet searches and properly cite each photo.
In your description of each photo, be sure to:
Describe how the photo helps you understand the expectations and value of “youth” and “childhood” in that society. In other words, what clues does the photo give you to determine how the identity of youth is constructed in that society?
In the remaining three slides, address the following questions:
Explain how the identity of “youth” and the time period of “childhood” is socially constructed and how it varies over time and across countries.
Explain how social class impacts the social construction of “youth” and “childhood.”
Discuss how comparing the different photos across your three social contexts help you understand the ways in which these categories are socially constructed.
Photo 2: This image from 1898 shows two barefoot boys hawking newspapers on a street corner in New York City. While these children are older than those featured in Photo 1 (likely 10-14 years), their job is similarly indicative of the expectation for youth to contribute economically within their family or community unit. The lack of proper attire (e.g., shoes) further highlights the precariousness of life experienced by many children during this era and how they were often forced into difficult circumstances due to poverty or other factors beyond their control.
Photo 3: An image from 1899 featuring two girls picking cotton near Sylvester, Georgia illustrates yet another example of youth labor during this period in US history where children’s bodies and labor were seen mainly through an economic value system rather than one focused on carefree exploration/development or educational opportunities which we tend to associate with ‘childhood’ today.
Slide 3: Present Day America
Photo 4: A photo taken recently outside Los Angeles showing several school aged kids selling snacks out of coolers along with other items they have created on their own (such as friendship bracelets) speaks volumes about how childhood is still socially constructed differently depending upon class status today even though child labor laws now exist throughout much of the world thanks to progressive movements like those championed by Lewis Hine throughout his career starting back in 1908 with his photos documenting child laborers all over America including here depicted ones pictured here.. In affluent communities such as Los Angeles where opportunities are available even children who come from lower income backgrounds may engage in entrepreneurial activities like snack vending after school - something which would likely have been illegal 100+ years ago when these same kids ancestors first arrived there!
Photo 5: Another more common sight today is that of teenagers working part-time jobs while attending highschool such as illustrated here at this fast food restaurant located somewhere near Atlanta GA where teenage employees can be seen preparing orders behind counter under adult supervision - something which provides valuable experience for them moving forward into adulthood but also serves practical needs providing additional incomes for families who may need extra financial assistance making ends meet especially given current economic climate across nation! It also gives teenagers chance build interpersonal skills interacting customers while learning importance punctuality collaboration teamwork etc...
Slide 4: Present Day India/Nigeria/Brazil
This slide will include photos particular context selected above so please make sure choose correct country before proceeding describe them below! For sake example lets assume Nigeria chosen below –
photo 6: A photograph depicting 12 year old girl named Ogechi tending goats morning Chikun Local Government Area Kaduna state Nigeria help illustrate ways different societies construct expectations youth vs childhood meaning while parents village encourage her learn traditional practices farming herding eventually earn living regardless age rather than experiencing “carefree exploration” associated Western ideas modern “childhood” she expected start contributing financially family unit much earlier highly valued skill set within region even today despite fact she's still technically categorized 'youth' according our society standards! Her story demonstrates power socioeconomics shape one's identity future trajectories
Photo 7 : Another picture taken area nearby small group Nigerian teens performing manual labour alongside adults farmhouse demonstrate roles societies place growing up poor backgrounds often require put shoulder responsibilities others don't thus sacrificing leisurely activities tends accompany privileged classes both past present day situations order survive… References