American psychologist James Hillman states that stories about children and childhood never describe only children and childhood. Theories of childhood always take steps towards the social construction of reality, describes sociologist Chris Jenks (1996, 29), who wrote about Hillman’s idea in his book Childhood. Thus, the understanding we have of childhood also reflects social structure and power.

Conceptions of childhood and the social patterns associated with it are also linked to science, mythology, philosophy, and the arts. Geographical, economic, and political circumstances are also connected to conceptions of childhood. In addition, individuals’ own experiences and interpersonal interactions shape understandings of childhood (Woodrow 1999).

These different connections are linked to the prevailing perceptions that produce the image of childhood and the cultural imagery of childhood that expresses it. It has also been said that childhood is always defined in the community in which children live (Alanen 2001b, 175). The subject of my research is the image of childhood in the context of children’s everyday life and the media.

Childhood image (ArieҒs 1962) has become established as the most common way of understanding childhood. The childhood image is made up of different conceptions of childhood. Thus, the view of childhood is multifaceted like a kaleidoscope (Liddell & Scott 1940): repetitive in structure, limited and simultaneously changing.

My research aims to identify and name the factors that construct the image of childhood. To explore these factors, I examine the image of childhood as produced by children themselves, their parents and daycare staff, and television advertising.

Read the full dissertation at: https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/55204/978-951-39-7143-4_vaitos08092017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Tiina Lautamo