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The disablement and enablement of childhood.
- Source :
- International Studies in Sociology of Education; Jun2012, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p147-167, 21p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- In this paper, I first examine how the dominant view of children as incompetent is constructed in the field of sociology, highlighting the constructions of them as playful, vulnerable and passive. Then, I deconstruct these dominant constructions and argue that they do not do children justice. To restore justice to children through reconstructing the concept of childhood, I suggest that children should neither be constructed as workfree and carefree, nor as innately innocent and vulnerable. Moreover, I suggest that the common practice of legally fixing a chronological identity for adults within the life course should be challenged, and that the relationship between social structures and agency should be understood in terms of relational rather than co-deterministic theories. Finally, to promote agency in children at the policy level, I suggest that they should be empowered to participate actively in various settings, particularly schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09620214
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Studies in Sociology of Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 79243856
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/09620214.2012.700190