Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood: Contemporary Issues in the Sociological Study of Childhood

by Allison James (Editor), Alan Prout (Editor)

First published in 1997. The second and fully revised edition of James and Prout's acclaimed seminal work on the study of childhood.

Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Sally Sugarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an oft-cited book that has some important ideas about thinking about childhood differently than developmental psychology does. One of the major points is that there are childhoods and not childhood. Psychology has focused on white, Western males as their model. Looking historically we see that childhood arises from specific cultures and historical periods. Hendrick looks at the various childhoods in Great Britain from 1800 to the present including the Romantic child, the Evangelical child, the factory child among others. The fact about children is a biological immaturity and a need to relate to other humans, but that seems to be the only actual givens not controlled by society. Control is an issue that comes up a great deal in this book since the adults seem to be concerned about how they control children. The notion that children grow from maturity to immaturity is challenged by many of the experiences of childhood such as those of street children in Paraguay and other countries. An interesting article by Solberg on Norwegian children talks about how children like being home alone and having the space as their own. Children who help with chores are seen as more mature. There is some concern expressed that the Western idea about childhood hood is being exported to other countries where it might not be appropriate except that capitalism is dominating the world. This is not the first time that the imperial powers have imposed their power on the colonial countries or what are now developing countries. Part of globalization seems to be a uniformity in concepts. One of the most interesting observations that James and Prout make is the way in which we do not focus on the present of childhood. We are always thinking of their future or our own past. It is important that we understand the nature of time and how childhood exists in its own present and has its own culture. They cite the work of the Opies. They also make the point that academics specializing in children don’t have much status and I thought that only applied to preschool education at Bennington College. Quortrup makes an interesting observation about how children are not counted on their own, but as part of families which results in misleading information about children. This is a stimulating and important book.

[Erendira]

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HQ 767.9 R46 2004

[Benemint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting critiques of "developmental" approach to childhood. It reminds me of the constructivists vs positivists debate in political science.

[Lucy jennings]

Really good book full of useful and interesting information