Midterm Paper Assignment Description

The midterm paper assignment is intended to be an exploration of some of the themes of childhood
introduced in the course. The paper enables you to explore literature/material beyond what is
presented in the course readings/materials in order to develop and express a deeper understanding of
the various cultural influences on Western conceptions of childhood in Canada.
Topic Instructions
Choose up to 3 themes from (A) that you will explore over at least 2 time periods from (B). Make sure
that your paper explicitly focuses on 20th Century Canadian perspectives and experiences of childhood.
Please send me your completed thesis statement for approval once you have decided the direction of
your paper and have found useful resources.
A. Paper Themes
Child-rearing practices (relationships, feeding, clothing, discipline, etc)
Views of children (good, evil, mini-adults, etc)
Educating and/or training children and youth
Children and work
Social status of children (wanted, special, gifts, property)
Quality of life
Role of church/religion in views of children and childhood
Gender roles and expectations
Impacts of socio-economic status on childhood
B. 20th C Time Periods/Generations
1900-1939 (Lost generation, Greatest generation, Silent generation, Depression, WWI)
1940-1955 (WWII, Baby boom1)
1956-1976 (Baby boom2, Post-war, Gen X)
1977-1990s (Gen Y, Echo Boomers, Millennials)
Examples
1 theme/3 periods:
explore (A) child-rearing practices from (B) the turn of the century to the start of WWII, the Baby
boom generation, and Generation X.
2 themes/3 periods: (compare, changes over time)
2 themes/2 periods (contrast and compare)
1 theme/4 periods (trace evolution of theme)
Format
 2000 – 2500 words (8 to 10 pages double-spaced, 12 pt);
 Clear and guiding introduction to topic (include thesis);
 Not a narrative so please focus on why rather than what;
 Attend to grammar, correctness, organization;
 Use APA 6th edition for references;
 Choose a title other than “341 paper”.