A Cultural Geography of Childhood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A Cultural Geography of Childhood - Essay Example Several of these, the first portion or set of the collection, reflects an English child's experiences, and the second set are my global perspective of other children's culture, or perceived existence as may be influenced by media and other forms of information. All throughout this essay, I have incorporated texts from readings about childhood and culture.Photography is a form of art aided by technology that captures in one scene what could have been or what might happen, or exactly what is happening with the subject or subjects, in connection with the present background, at this point, his or her environment. This could either be perceived, apparent, or as interpreted by circumstantial evidence presented by the image which is called the photo. Through photography, various forms of messages, interpretations as well as representation of culture, tradition and practices are depicted. These representations embody existing as well as ideal forms of what should be or what can be, but in mo st cases, also depict what are prevalent in society. With photos of children, these depictions are quite difficult to mask or hide. Thus, they become iconographic, as is "truth" at the moment. There had been moments in time that "childhood" according to Aries (1962) did not exist as in the middle ages, although this has been criticised as inaccurate (Hanawalt, 1995) where children were controlled and restrained. Aries went on to describe children as "little adults" although modern researches also pointed out that there had been separation of a "child" and "adult" starting in medieval Europe, of which, occurrences must have ignited these change. This essay, nevertheless, will progress with modern studies that have careful consideration of how children interact with adults and the factors that affect or shape children's general views as well as their present state. First Set I have an ordinary, normal childhood experience in the United Kingdom. I stayed around at the house for most of my early memories of childhood and my mum and dad served as big people that have to look after me and my needs. I have chosen this first set to depict, what for me is a "normal" childhood. Normal in the sense that there were no extraordinary occurrences such as physical or mental abuse, early detachment of a child to his or her parents, disability experiences, among other life-changing courses. This first photo depicts a toddler and her dad in formal outfit: he in tuxedo and the baby girl in chiffon dress. At the viewpoint of ordinary audience or watcher, this was taken during a special occasion, and it could be a wedding, a church or holy day, or any event that prompts the family, which is the mother, the father and the child, or children, to dress up and join a congregation, a community, or family gathering. (1ST PHOTO/Father & TODDLER) This second photo depicts a pre-school or day care child with his buddy. They are both of about the same age range between 3-5 years old and are in the stage of discovering friendship or comradeship, as well as belonging and acceptance. Considering their skin and hair colour, as well as their outfit, both children belong to a middle class or well-off family and society. This could mean their basic needs were well-taken cared off, and with the smile and facial glow of the blond child, he appears to be contented and secured, while the other child seem to have been influenced a little with the happiness or enthusiasm