Summary
Contents
Subject index
This book introduces the inter-disciplinary study of childhood and youth and the multi-agency practice of professionals who serve the needs of children, young people and their families. Exploring key theories and central ideas, research methodology, policy and practice, it takes a holistic, contextual approach that values difference and diversity. It examines concepts such as identity, representation, creativity and discourse and issues such as ethnicity, gender and the ‘childhood in crisis’ thesis. Furthermore, it challenges opinion by exploring complex and controversial modern-day issues, and by engaging with a range of perspectives to highlight debates within the field.
Social Constructions of Childhood
Social Constructions of Childhood
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter you should be able to respond to the following questions:
- Is it possible to have children without childhood?
- Is childhood a modern invention?
- Why does society construct childhood?
- How does society construct modern childhood?
- How do constructions of childhood differ?
- What factors influence our current view of childhood?
Introduction
Each of us has experienced not one, but two childhoods: the first as a biological state of growth and development and the second as a social construction, which is to say as an institution that has been socially created. If this is true, then it follows that childhood is dependent on the nature of a society into which an individual is born and will vary from place to place and ...
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