Decolonizing Childhoods: From Exclusion to Dignity

by Manfred Liebel

European colonization of other continents has had far-reaching and lasting consequences for the construction of childhoods and children’s lives throughout the world. Liebel presents critical postcolonial and decolonial thought currents along with international case studies from countries in Africa, Latin America, and former British settler colonies to examine the complex and multiple ways that children throughout the Global South continue to live with the legacy of colonialism. Building on the work of Cannella and Viruru, he explores how these children are affected by unequal power relations, paternalistic policies and violence by state and non-state actors, before showing how we can work to ensure that children’s rights are better promoted and protected, globally.

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2020

Reviews

[Alba M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a joy to read one of Liebel's works as he is one of the few contemporary writers who reject paternalism towards children, and who quote youth liberationists like Firestone and Farson in full agreement.