Historical, Economic, Political Roots of Child Constructs

The assignment explores various dimensions of contemporary childhood constructions in the United Kingdom. It aims to understand how current perceptions and definitions of childhood are influenced by historical, economic, and political factors. By analyzing these elements, the study seeks to reveal how they impact early years practice within educational settings. The exploration covers multiple aspects including societal norms, policy developments, and shifts in cultural attitudes towards children and their education. This comprehensive analysis not only provides insights into the nature of contemporary childhood constructs but also addresses their broader implications for educators and policymakers involved in early childhood education and care.

Running head: EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Early Childhood Studies
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

2EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Childhood is not only a concept but an entire phase in the lives of each and every
individual. However, there are different social constructions that often from childhood. In other
words, the entire phenomena of childhood are socially constructed and deconstructed by society.
It must be noted in this context that the representation of children is not the same in all the
society (Jenks 2005). As per the opinion of Davis and Robinson (2010) Children are born
innocent and pure. No one is born evil or dangerous (Jenks 2005). However, it is the societal
norms or the social constructions that make children fall into some predefined norms. As has
been depicted in the documentary film, children like Michelle and Melissa have been robbed off
their innocent and pure childhood. This documentary has also depicted the story of several other
such unfortunate underage girls who have been pushed to the dark treacherous world of the sex
trade and trafficking. This is the case of unequal childhood because in many other places
children enjoy a very peaceful and happy childhood. Children are given equal opportunities of
schooling and getting a proper future. However in the video it has been shown that these children
belong from a poor economic background. As a result of this they are sent to the sex trade for
bringing money to their family. In comparison to the childhood of the children in many other
developed places of the world, these children get a very depressive childhood filled with
inequality.
Michele is a 10-year-old girl from the Philippines who is showing recollecting the
gruesome tortures that were inflicted upon her during her childhood. However, it must be noted
that she was only 8 to 10 years of age when this documentary was shot. Thus she was even
younger when she was actually a victim of the sex trade. She was forced by her family to go in a
relationship with a 40 to a 50-year-old man called Marco Gonzalo. It must be noted in this
context that the aspect of family is totally different in this scenario. As per Kehily (2009), family

3EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
is a good thing that helps in shaping the children’s mind set. Family is usually seen as a unifying
and supportive unit. This concept is totally overthrown in Michelle’s case as it was her family
who threw her into this danger. Thus it can be said that on a Global basis, many economies are
still living under the utter poverty. They do not get proper educational or employment
opportunities. As a result of this, these people do not get enough money for running their daily
lives. Due to the lack of education and proper socio political awareness these people are often
forced to use such illegal means.
She gave her statement saying that she was forced by her mother and her elder sister to
go in a relationship with this man who has also promised to marry her. She narrated her painful
experience of staying locked up at BYOD Smith's Bar in the Philippines with this man.
Gonzalo was a lustful man who used to torture her every day and also threatened to kill
her if she defied his orders. She was kept in a room with padded locks so that she cannot go out
to keep other people. He bet her and forcefully took her virginity. This documentary has featured
about the unimaginable life of thousands of such underaged girls who are forced to work in these
bars at the Philippines. Every year many foreigners come to these places to buy sex from these
children (Mills and Mills 2002). This shows the difference in the political and the social set up of
different geographical locations. There are some cultures like Islam which beliefs in keeping
women behind the hijabs or pardahs thinking that this will save their honor (Lupton 2014). A
sharp contrast is shown by the cultures of the Philippine rural people who sent their minor kids
into sex trades. It was said by Father Shay in the documentary that the lowest age of a minor sex
slave was 14 and there were even younger kids than this left to perish on streets. The girls
working in the bars are not allowed to disclose their actual age. They are asked to say that they
have all become adults and are 18 years of age so that they can attract more customers.

4EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
As per the opinion of Penn (2010) Childhood as ‘futurity’ is a major aspect of social
childhood construction that has a significant impact on the future self of the children. Child
sexual abuse is a very strong means of these phenomena. Individuals who have been subjected to
immense sexual tortures might develop some severe mental traumas as and when they grow
up.The sting operation that was performed by the three retired Australian Police men shows that
the political rules and regimes vary from one country to the other. A criminal like Gonzalo was
given bail from the jail of the Philippines. However it was said by the police officer Denis Gray
and also Payne during their sting operations that had it been in Australia, the law would have
been much stronger and a person like Gonzalo would never have been able to hide him. The
socio-economic structure of the rural Philippines is so poor that the families are forced to sell
their children for the sake of their survival.
On interviewing Michele's Mother, the police officers found that she was very reluctant
in answering any questions regarding the heinous crime that was caused by Gonzalo to her
daughter Michele. She did not answer any of the questions saying that she has forgotten
everything (Real Stories. Children Of The Sex Trade (Full Documentary) 2016). Though she
denied having sold her daughter to Gonzalo it was reported by Michele and her sister that their
mother knows everything. It was Gonzalo who used to pay money to the family and also buy
daily items like clothes. This created a sense of security for the family and the mother thought it
wise to sale her daughter. It was also said by Michele’s sister that their mother begged her to take
back her statements against Gonzalo and not to meet with the police any further. It was reported
by the Philippines police officer that Michele's mother was angry at him for arresting Gonzalo
and for interfering with their personal affairs. This shows the lack of awareness and job

5EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
opportunities for such a large section of people. It is also evident that Government awareness and
active participation of the Government is also lagging in this aspect.
However, there are some significant figures like Father Shay Cullen and John Curtis
(Grey Man Rescue Center), who have been working for the rescuing of several children from this
vicious cycle of the sex trade and child trafficking. Father Shay Cullen has been nominated for
his commendable performance in saving a large number of children and helping them to go back
in their normal lives.
It was mainly because of Father Shay Cullen’s initiative that they started the sting
operation in some of the bars of Miami in the Philippines. Both Michele and her sister actively
supported the investigation team in identifying the Minor or the underage girls who worked in
the bars. Among the two identified minors, one was Trisha and the other was Princess. Princess
who was 9 years of age could be identified and rescued from the Miami Dance bar however
some of the other girls were missing.
A shocking fact was revealed through this documentary regarding the poor financial and
educational opportunities for these people. Michele's family is not the only victim of this
disillusionment that the foreigners coming from outside are very rich and will help them support
their daily needs. Thus they fall prey easily. The sting operation was partially successful. Father
Shay with the help of the three police officers and the social workers could rescue several girls
from the dance bars. Gonzalo is still not arrested. He has fled and is hiding somewhere. The
documentary ends with a ray of hope that joint collaborative effort and awareness can help to
fight such heinous social evils.

6EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
References
Davis, C. and Robinson, K. 2010 ‘Hatching Babies and Stork Deliveries: Risk and Regulation in
the Construction of Children’s Sexual Knowledge’, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood,
Vol. 11, No. 3, pp 249-262 (available as online journal – good on notion of ‘risk’ and sexuality
but also linked in with vulnerablity)
Jenks, C. 2005 Childhood (2nded), London: Routledge (chapter 3 talks of the Apollonian child –
opposite to Dionysian child who might be linked to this view of childhood i.e. playful and
innocent BUT you should note it is not an easy read – E book)
Jenks, C. 2005 Childhood (2nded), London: Routledge (chapter 5 talks about child as ‘futurity’ –
E book BUT you should note it is not an easy read)
Kehily, M.J. eds., 2009 An Introduction to Childhood Studies, Maidenhead: OUP (see chapter 5
by Kehily and Montgomery on sexuality and innocence – E book)
Kjørholt, A.T., 2013. Childhood as social investment, rights and the valuing of
education. Children & society, 27(4), pp.245-257.
Lupton, D., 2014. Precious, pure, uncivilised, vulnerable: Infant embodiment in Australian
popular media. Children & Society, 28(5), pp.341-351.
Mills, J. and Mills, R. eds., 2002. Childhood studies: A reader in perspectives of childhood.
Routledge.
Penn, H. 2010 'Shaping the Future: How Human Capital Arguments about Investment in Early
Childhood are Being (Mis)Used in Poor Countries' in N. Yelland (Ed) Contemporary
Perspectives on Early Childhood Education, Maidenhead: OUP (E book)

7EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Real Stories. Children Of The Sex Trade (Full Documentary). Image, 2016. Online. Internet. 7
May 2019. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxQm6xyDGdo&feature=youtu.be.