Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2015, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4): 30-35.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki./000-5560.2015.04.005

• Educational Theory(教育理论) • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Connotation, Origin and Limitation of “the Concept of Modern Childhood”

LIN Lan   

  1. Education Science College, Nanjing Normal University
  • Online:2015-12-20 Published:2016-01-26
  • Contact: LIN Lan
  • About author:LIN Lan

Abstract: The concept of modern childhood appeared firstly in the western developed industrial countries. It reflects the modern way of thinking to the children and their life since the Enlightenment. The concept of modern childhood emphasizes the difference and the opposition between the child and the adult. It builds up the linear mode of childhood development and generates the “standardizing” childhood. The concept of modern childhood derives the modern logic of dichotomy, is restricted by the biology guided research perspective, and consolidates with the development of the institutionalization of school education and the change of modern family life. The concept of modern childhood predicts the deficiency of the children’s social competence for the immaturity of children's physical development, which isolates the child from the adult world and marginalizes the social status of children. The power of definition of childhood is controlled by the adult, the diverse forms of childhood are ignored and the sound of children is buried.