Key Points - Learning Guide 3

Social constructionist theory argues that understandings of childhood, development and appropriate care for children and young people vary between different historical and geographical/cultural/family contexts

Viewing development as a stage-based pathway is strongly embedded in practice and legislation, with understandings of children and young people often based on their age and perceived developmental stage

Development as a stage-based pathway needs to be approached with caution as it has implications for some children and young people who are not easily accommodated within the ‘normative’ assumptions of the pathway

Models of parenting have been proposed which suggest some parenting styles are more appropriate than others. However, a social constructionist argument would be that notions such as ‘sensitive mothering’ are difficult to achieve and maintain.