Social Construction Of Children

The social constructions of children and childhood are highly represented through contemporary children’s culture. The issue with social constructions of children and childhood set assumptions that often devalue their role and statues in society. Interestingly, this is comparable to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), in which defines every child under the age of eighteen. Although their principles encompass international human rights of dignity, equality and respect, it does not necessarily work in their best interest. Hence, the term “international” is geared towards a universal child/childhood, which clearly emphasizes standardized norms and specific rights representing the West. This becomes problematic because
all contemporary children experience distinct childhoods, practice different cultures and traditions, and carry individual identities and personalities. However, it is important to note that parents govern their children’s upbringing, and therefore the layers of dominant factors conceal the reality of the true experiences and identities of children and young people in different parts of the world. As a result, contemporary children and young people are at a disadvantage when society continues to place ideologies, power, meaning and identity that socially constrcut children and childhood. In Share’s article, he stresses the issue of protection in which prevents children and young people to engage in “questioning and creating media” (131).
This protectionist attitude has existed since Rousseau introduced the romantic discourse that believes childhood is a time of innocence and that adults’ responsibility is to protect them. Similarly, the DHS has completely violated on its citizens rights to privacy and informed use of technology, as a way to “protect” them from another terrorist attack. This evidently leaves Marcus and his friends in constant surveillance by the DHS, to be supervise of their every move, whether it may be physically or technologically. On the other hand, the issue of the portrayal in media is mentioned in Leistyna’s article. She argues that the media has a strong influence on how to perceive people and is often stereotypical, which she calls this “constructing tales” (340). These stereotypical attitudes are norms of the political economy that bring stories into reality and become naturalized in society (Prof. Gennaro 2017). This is evident in the novel when Marcus discovers that terrorists are not only “brown Arabs with big beards and knits caps and loose cotton dresses” [but] they can be anyone (509; ch. 3). In another example, the media coverage on the demonstration at Dolores Park was perceived as a “riot” and Xnetters were labeled as a tool of recruiting terrorists (2386; ch. 13). This shows that the media coverage is integrated from a
collection of fabricated stories created by the dominant institutions to emphasize the difference between “them” and “us.” Although the novel brings attention to issues of social constructs, stereotypes and ideologies, it challenges the “makings of everyday life” through subversive actions of hegemonic norms. Doctorow takes his characters to face these realistic issues against the DHS and introduces opportunities of change through the utilization of media platforms for activism and political activities. It is evident through Marcus’ use of his digital identity as M1K3Y and goes into a deep web called Xnet, in order to go online without being monitored by the government. Through this, he codes to solve the encryption, assembles a ‘web of trust’ in demonstrations with other youth, and hold meetings/press conference for journalists to get the real story about the corrupt government. It is interesting when he emphasizes his love for technology, and that it was “working for [him], serving [him], protecting [him],” meaning he felt liberated navigating the Internet because it gave him “power and privacy” (1115; ch. 5). Moreover, the capability to access technology and media platforms is a unique space for contemporary children and young people because it not only allows them to get their real message and un-fabricated stories out there, but a space for them to feel free without adults. Interestingly, many children and young people in the present are taking full advantage of technology and media platforms to perform in political activities and global activism that relate to the issues affecting them and others. Thus, they are able to develop and share their voices and identities through media that is a true reflection of themselves and their realities. Nevertheless, I believe that Doctorow’s novel, Little Brother is a legitimate text because it critically analyzes the core issues and influencing factors, in which many contemporary children struggle to achieve their full potential on a daily basis.
This essay highlighted the importance in practice of resistance within contemporary children and young people through the use of media platforms and digital technologies. However, it brings attention to the importance of understanding and recognizing that these authoritarian states/regimes and the oppressive social relations have set negative representations, ideologies and stereotypes, which has fabricated stories in the media and has become naturalized and accepted in society. It brings attention to the conflicting/corrupt system of the government and its laws and regulations through protectionist attitudes by invading peoples’ privacy. It brings attention to undermining peoples’ will to freedom of speech, rights and justice on issues concerning them and others. It brings attention to how contemporary children’s culture is affected by all these influencing factors, in which their behaviours and practices do not reflect their true identity and personalities. In conclusion, this act of resistance is a stepping-stone for true democratic progress through which contemporary children and young people can better identify the realities that shape their lives. Therefore, it is important for children and young people to be informed
citizens and be taught critical media literacy, as a way to connect, create and conduct information that informs their own culture and builds awareness, creates change, and generates the ability of free expression through ideas and opinions on issues affecting them and others.