Childhood: Social Construction, Gender And Socialization
Three theories that will be explored in this project include: social construction, gender and socialization. Social construction refers to the ways in which reality is negotiated in everyday life through people’s interactions and through sets of discourses (AL. James& A. James, 2012, p.116). Furthermore, this theory suggests that we all have different experiences of childhood. The experiences of children all around the world will differ. We cannot assume that children’s experiences of high school in Rexdale will be the same as those who live in Markham. Social construction is something we must take into consideration when understanding children’s experiences. The next theory that will be explored is gender. Gender is the social and cultural construction of sexual differences (AL.
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James& A.
James, 2012, p.60). In particular, this research project will look at gender differences in school, specifically the courses high school girls take versus the ones boys take. It will also look at the differences in career choices from girls and boys. The research project will examine the role gender plays and how significant it is. The final theory that will be explored is socialisation. Socialisation is the process by which children are taught and learn, to meet the expectations of and fit into a given society (AL. James& A. James, 2012, p.120). This theory will look at the role of parents and the media in a high school student’s future career. Specifically, what roles and values a child’s parents gives them to identify with (AL. James & A. James, 2012, p.120). Furthermore, one will discover the influence of any of these on a high school student’s future
career.
The gap
There has been research on external factors that influence a high school students career choice. However, for my research project I want to focus on high school students in Rexdale and how specific factors like their parents, the media, their gender and their academic life influence their career choice. Furthermore, I want to include their voices and their own experiences into my research. I want their views and opinions to be heard and taken into account. I think it is important for this research to be done because children’s thoughts and ideas do matter. People do care about children and want to learn more about their lives. By conducting this research, I hope others learn more about the factors that influence a high school students career choice.
Methodology and Methods
This research project will use qualitative methods. Qualitative methods are used to generate knowledge from peoples shared understandings (Kruger,2008, p.13). The researcher relies heavily on the views of the participants (Kruger, 2008, p.14) This approach will be child right centred meaning it will follow the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Some of these conventions include the rights to information and thoughts by forming their views (Alderson & Morrow, p.85). Some methods of qualitative research include interviews and participant observation (Kruger,2008, p. 17). For this research project the methods I plan on using interviews, surveys, drawings and the diamond ranking exercise.
James& A.
James, 2012, p.60). In particular, this research project will look at gender differences in school, specifically the courses high school girls take versus the ones boys take. It will also look at the differences in career choices from girls and boys. The research project will examine the role gender plays and how significant it is. The final theory that will be explored is socialisation. Socialisation is the process by which children are taught and learn, to meet the expectations of and fit into a given society (AL. James& A. James, 2012, p.120). This theory will look at the role of parents and the media in a high school student’s future career. Specifically, what roles and values a child’s parents gives them to identify with (AL. James & A. James, 2012, p.120). Furthermore, one will discover the influence of any of these on a high school student’s future
career.
The gap
There has been research on external factors that influence a high school students career choice. However, for my research project I want to focus on high school students in Rexdale and how specific factors like their parents, the media, their gender and their academic life influence their career choice. Furthermore, I want to include their voices and their own experiences into my research. I want their views and opinions to be heard and taken into account. I think it is important for this research to be done because children’s thoughts and ideas do matter. People do care about children and want to learn more about their lives. By conducting this research, I hope others learn more about the factors that influence a high school students career choice.
Methodology and Methods
This research project will use qualitative methods. Qualitative methods are used to generate knowledge from peoples shared understandings (Kruger,2008, p.13). The researcher relies heavily on the views of the participants (Kruger, 2008, p.14) This approach will be child right centred meaning it will follow the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Some of these conventions include the rights to information and thoughts by forming their views (Alderson & Morrow, p.85). Some methods of qualitative research include interviews and participant observation (Kruger,2008, p. 17). For this research project the methods I plan on using interviews, surveys, drawings and the diamond ranking exercise.