Write a paragraph which might act as the introductory paragraph to a conference paper on the way the article by Philip Adams constructs a version of childhood. You should identify the key elements of the version of childhood and the main points you would want to cover in this paper about how the version is constructed. In class, we have focussed on selection and organisation of material as well as use of language, so remember to consider these. Remember also that you should try not to discuss all of your main points in one sentence. Post to your blog by 4pm Friday, April 15th.

Phillip Adams constructs a version of childhood in his book The Unspeakable Adams as a intolerable time of restriction and perceives it as greatly overrated by adults. His arguments are that children are property to adults and thus are caged within numerous regulations,that school is agonizing to attend, that children are not as innocent as they are perceived and encompass an ugly aspect of personality, that children are punished for being naturally ignorant, and that childhood is typically boring. He supports his thesis through his selection of material which almost completely silences the positive aspects and which emphasizes that the reality of childhood is not the ideal childhood adults reminisce upon. These components of childhood established by Adams are also highlighted by his use of the political allusions which draws parallels between the treatment received by children and the moments of shame inscribed in the past by adults. Furthermore, his use of language communicates his construction of childhood with clarity through descriptions which are explicit in meaning.