Synopses & Reviews
This book is the second of four which form part of the Open University course, U212, Childhood. Together they provide an undergraduate level introduction to the interdisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies, and a framework for analysing contemporary policy and practice in, for instance, education, health and social work.
Childhood is now a global issue, forcing a reconsideration of conventional approaches to study. Childhood is also a very personal issue for each and every one of us – scholars, policy-makers, parents and children.
The books encourage the reader’s active involvement, especially through the use of activities. They include children’s and parent’s voices as well as academic discussion of childhood in diverse societies and points of history. Selected short readings accompany the chapters to present additional perspectives.
Childhoods in Contexts asks about diversity, complexity and change in children’s lives, arguing that these can best be understood by looking closely at specific sites and practices within homes and schools as well as taking account of macro-economics and cultural belief systems. Topics include changing patterns of family life, the changing role for children in the economy and in education, including continuing debates about child labour, competing visions for early childhood education and young people’s experiences of the transition from child to adult.
Review
"…wonderful lay-out…warmly recommended to everyone working with children…" (International Journal of Adolesc Med Health, Vol.15, No.2, 2003)
Review
"Childhoods in Context represents a valuable source of knowledge about childhood and childrens lives. It draws attention to childrens identities as relational and connected to places. It is highly inspiring and will be of great interest to a wide audience."
Review
“This book provides a comprehensive account of the spatial materialities of childhood. Drawing together disparate strands of the debates around children's spaces and places, it provides key interdisciplinary insights that underscore the global importance of understanding the spatial contexts of children's lives. Well-written and accessible, this book will make a significant and timely contribution to the childhood studies field.”
Synopsis
Childhood is a brand new series, co-published with The Open University which represents a coherent and integrated treatment to a wide range of topics and approaches, which will have a relevance to courses in childhood studies; sociology; psychology; anthropology and cultural studies.
The second volume, Childhoods in Context examines the interplay between family, schooling, work, and other influences in the daily lives of children and young people. Topics include changing family patterns, debates about school versus work, and current concerns about child labour. Issues in early childhood are discussed, as well as the transition from child to adult.
? Multi-disciplinary approach
? Multi-cultural perspective
? An interactive text
? Attractive layout and colour design throughout
? A high level of illustration
? Clear and 'student-friendly' style
? Used by the OU for its own teaching
Synopsis
Childhoods in Context offers a critical exploration of childhood, drawing attention to the physical and social contexts of children’s lives. Through accounts of home and family, school, public spaces, and work, the contributors explore three key arguments: childhood is always located somewhere—either in a place designed for children or territories that children develop for themselves; childhood is experienced through objects, people, places, and everyday routines; and childhood and adult identities are relational—understandings of childhood are dependent on how adulthood is viewed. Raising important questions about methodological approaches to understanding childhoods in context, this book provides a framework for investigating wider questions about childhood, including the power relationships between adults and children and the influence of gender and inequality.
About the Author
Alison Clark is senior lecturer in childhood studies at the Open University.
Table of Contents
Series preface
Contributors
Introduction
Alison Clark
1. Children in and out of place
Alison Clark and Lesley Gallacher
2. Home and family
Alison Clark and Mary Jane Kehily
3. Public spaces
Peter Kraftl
4. Making schools: spaces, objects and relationships
Alison Clark
5. Children and work
Lindsay ODell, Sarah Crafter and Heather Montgomery
6. Using visual data in research on childhood
Martyn Hammersley
Acknowledgements
Index