Bio-social explanations
In the later Middle Ages, the idea that a child was like malleable butter that could be molded in many forms or a fragile twig that needed to be groomed in the appropriate direction was prevalent. Educators have emphasized setting positive examples for the next generation. From the Renaissance period onwards, the scales of nurture versus nature steadily tipped in favor of the former. Particularly the upper and middle classes started to pay greater attention to the upbringing of the children and the in-depth guidance that moralists offered on parenting and educating (Heywood, 2017). The effects of cognitive, psychological, cultural, and biological factors on humans are discussed in biosocial perspectives. At the age of two, children undergo several behavioral adjustments. Children lack technical expertise, are individualistic, and struggle with attentiveness at this stage. Such children are unable to distinguish between their viewpoints and that of others.
From interactions with more informed and experienced people, children pick up customs, opinions, dispositions, and problem-solving abilities. This part of childhood is timeless since it includes normal growth and development processes. No matter how much parents practice nurturing, it will always be best for kids to learn from nature. However, parents nowadays are under strain to continually guide their youngsters from one pre-planned event to the next rather than allowing them to discover the world themselves. Children may be overly pushed at an early age to focus and succeed in a specific sport, musical instrument, or other ability due to the expectation to nurture a “genius” and the competitiveness to uncover and meticulously cultivate any exceptional gifts that kids may demonstrate. The following fifty years will see this tendency persist into the twenty-first century.
Changing notions of Juvenile Responsibility
The parent’s primary responsibility was to raise their children in a way they considered proper, according to old English common law (Heywood, 2017). On the other hand, when a minor turned seven and committed a felony, chancellors acting on the king’s behalf determined the issue. The young individuals had no legal protections and were treated as the court’s wards. Therefore, it was the court’s duty to safeguard their well-being. The government had a substantial and major interest in the child’s development, but parents were simply in charge of reproduction.
Over the past 20 years, significant reforms in juvenile justice have focused on reducing imprisonment and restrictive custody, improving prisons, demolishing large institutions, and reinvesting in community-based projects. Decreases in ethnic and racial disparities, the delivery of effective, evidence-based services for children in the youth justice system, and the retention of the majority of juvenile offenders in the juvenile justice system rather than their transmission to the criminal justice system are all results of new perspectives on juvenile responsibility (Heywood, 2017). Additionally, the system is evolving to ensure more effective defensive service delivery and to encourage system-wide cooperation and planning for juvenile justice for the next 50 years. These reform initiatives have typically been motivated by the desire to enhance quality facilities and strategies, reduce expenses, and eliminate hazardous detention conditions—problems that are not necessarily warranted. Public policy has changed because of complex interactions between government organizations, decision-makers, and the unique features of the policy itself. The focus on rehabilitation, undertaking community service, and assisting young people in embracing accountability and making apologies for their acts is growing in the juvenile justice system. The juvenile correctional system is changing to better minimize recidivism by adopting treatments based on understanding childhood development and organized risk and needs assessment.
The future of childhood
Historical records show that childhood has changed massively since medieval times. Children’s role in communities and their developmental journey has also evolved. Historically, childhood was considered a period of immaturity where children were expected to exist among societies without much attention paid to them by adults. However, their lack of awareness did not absolve them from developing virtues of discipline and obedience (Heywood, 2017). In other societies, children were deprived of their childhood, as they were required to perform adult roles. However, the evolution of childhood in contemporary society has resulted in proper differentiation between a child and an adult. The community has embraced childhood, allowing children the time to grow, develop and mature gradually. The future of childhood promises similar hallmarks, with children being nurtured carefully and allowed to enjoy childhood.
However, a child’s need to perform adult duties is gradually being phased out in extenuating circumstances where a child is born in tough social and economic conditions. They may be forced to grow up faster and embrace adult duties for survival. This situation will only apply to a handful of children living in complete deprivation and poverty. The future will draw a distinct boundary between childhood, adolescence, and youth (Archard, 2014). Furthermore, the future of childhood promises to encompass the discourse on children’s rights at a global level. This advancement will ensure that the state bears responsibility for youngsters and protects their rights, especially where guardians have failed or neglected this duty. Protecting children’s rights will include striving to eradicate child hunger and emphasizing children enjoying basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. As children’s rights permeate the international discussion, education for children will be demanded as a necessity. As childhood evolves, children will enjoy rights and fundamental liberties, including freedom of expression, religion, conscience, and peaceful assembly (Archard, 2014). However, enjoyment of these liberties will not result in the imposition of adult responsibilities. This evolution of childhood will result in a future where children are held in high regard and emphasis is placed on their development.
Although the state will be charged as the childhood caretaker, the family unit remains essential. As children’s primary caretakers, the family unit ensures that children undergo complete development. Intellectually physically, and socially (Archard, 2014). With the complex technologic advancements being witnessed, the future of childhood involves an early introduction to learning and education system that build their intellectual capacity similar to the educational background I received at an early age; the future of childhood promises to entail a vigorous embrace of an academic course that will help drive technological advancement. Nevertheless, that does not negate the necessity for sports, music, acting, and other fields. The future of childhood will allow children to become exposed to all areas at a young age to determine their talents, interests, and capability. After that, the children will be nurtured toward the advancement of those talents or careers (Archard, 2014). This practice is different from how we experienced a childhood where our parents insisted that we purpose on specific courses or engage in certain sporting activities. Thus, the future of childhood will allow children’s contributions to society to be valued and respected, unlike in the current community. Children’s health will also be considered and improved tremendously to reduce children’s mortality rate caused by specific diseases.
Legal and social responsibilities
The future of childhood emphasizes adults and children embrace specific legal and social responsibilities. Children require protection and support from grown-ups since they often cannot protect their interests and rights. Children must always be protected from child molestation, inequality, neglect, and other forms of emotional and physical abuse. Adults are also responsible for providing youngsters with the necessities of life and creating environments that are conducive to the growth of children’s interests and capabilities. Reciprocal respect is the cornerstone of a courteous living environment (Archard, 2014). Just as adults must respect children and other grown-ups, so must youngsters respect them. One of the fundamental tenets of a culture’s cohabitation is respect for one another and appreciation of someone else’s preferences.
The preferences and desires of children vary depending on their age and gender. They each enjoy the same rights, notwithstanding their variances. They are all entitled to equality under the law. Every child possesses the same rights. Like mature individuals in society, children have obligations in addition to rights. Where the rights of another child or an adult begin, a child’s rights stop. This assertion implies that when enjoying one’s rights, a child must also consider the entitlement of other adults and children (Archard, 2014). Rights and obligations are mutually exclusive. While a child has the right to receive an education, it is also their responsibility to attend school. Also, children have a right to safety for their healthcare, but they are also responsible for embracing good healthcare practices.
The future of childhood recognizes that a child has the freedom to express himself. Still, in doing so, they should recognize the rights of other youngsters and adults, most importantly, the right to defend their dignity and honor. The child’s freedom to exercise and be subject to responsibilities is guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This law stipulates that as child ages, the breadth of obligation and the opportunity to make decisions for oneself increase. Parents or other guardians will defend a child’s freedoms until they are unable to do so. Therefore, children’s interests must always be the foundation.
References
Archard, D. (2014). Children: Rights and childhood. Routledge.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315740676/children-david-archard
Heywood, C. (2017). A history of childhood. John Wiley & Sons.
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