Childhood refers to the biologically young or early years of an individual. This time between infancy and adulthood is when an individual is introduced to the social constraints and regulations of the society in which the individual lives. The western culture in which we live places importance on defining and identifying childhood. To society, childhood relates to the notion of innocence, and when one becomes aware of the wider world, such innocence is destroyed,  effectively removing them from the category of ‘child.’ One who is deemed a child is viewed as dependent and vulnerable to the outside environmental influences, specifically adults.

Before participating in history 3510, I never gave much thought to the meaning of childhood. I merely thought that childhood referred the early years of one’s life. So regarding my interpretation of childhood, or instead just thinking about it, the meaning I place on the term did expand. I realize that there is more to being a child than simply making it through the early years of life. There are obvious biological stepping stones which move one through childhood and into adulthood. However, there are also social implications behind the definition of being a child.