This book aims to challenge dominant narratives of childhood, offering a critical exploration of ten contemporary debates.
Authored by experienced professionals and academics in the field, this thought-provoking book examines the impact of these debates on childrens lived experiences through a socio-cultural lens. Bolstered by reflective questions and illustrative case studies, it stimulates discussions on social justice, childrens rights, and their positioning within political and economic contexts.
Written for students and professionals, Debating Childhoods serves as a catalyst for critical engagement and aims to empower current and future scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to consider their roles in shaping the lives of young children.
Joe Brown is the programme leader of the BA (Hons) Early Childhood programme at UWE Bristol. He has worked in the early childhood field for over 25 years, including 20 years teaching and leading a variety of higher education programmes in early childhood and playwork. Throughout this time, he has been motivated by the belief that children are confident and agentic social actors who can play an important role in their communities, as long as there are adults who are willing to advocate for them. Joes professional interests include the impact of neoliberal policies on young childrens lived experiences, personal interests include a perennial fascination with Neolithic standing stones. Tim Clark is the Director of Research and Enterprise for the School of Education and Childhood at UWE Bristol. Prior to moving into academia he gained 20 years experience of working in early childhood settings, including 12 years leading and managing early education provision for a community organisation in Bristol. He has taught on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood at UWE for 5 years and conducted research into the experiences of early childhood graduates. He is a member of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) Research Strategy Group, and co-lead for the Children, Childhood and Young People strand of UWEs Education and Childhood Research Group (ECRG).
Chapter 1: Constructions of Childhood - Joe Brown & Timothy Clark Chapter 2: The Neo-Liberal Child: Current consumers, future workers - Joe Brown & Alex Morfaki Chapter 3: The Successful Child: Forms of capital and childhood - Jeanette Simson Chapter 4: Children as Rights Holders: Rhetoric or reality? - Helen Butcher & Jane Andrews Chapter 5: Policy: For children or about children? - Eleri John & Joanne Munyard Chapter 6: The Commercialisation of Childhood - Katrina Diamond & Melissa Arrowsmith Chapter 7: Childrens Health and Well-Being - Jackie Musgrave Chapter 8: Play: Investment or pleasure? - Zoe Lewis & Vina Patel Chapter 9: Measuring Childhood: The good, the bad and the ugly - Kate Irvine Chapter 10: The Unique Child - Rhiannon Packer & Sally Spruce Chapter 11: Taking Childhood Seriously: Listening, agency and advocacy - Timothy Clark & Rebecca Kingsley-Jones
