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Key Concepts in Childhood Studies
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Key Concepts in Childhood Studies

Second Edition


July 2012 | 160 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This book has already proved itself as a course adoption leader in Childhood Studies.

All of the strengths of the First Edition have been retained. The book is comprehensive and judged with the needs of students in mind. It is a model of clarity and precision and has been acknowledged as such in reviews and course feedback.

The new edition thoroughly revises old entries and adds new ones. The book is the most accessible, relevant student introduction to this expanding, interdisciplinary field.

It is an indispensable teaching text and an ideal prompt for researchers.

 
Preface to the Second Edition
 
Introduction
 
Age and Maturity
 
Agency
 
Best Interests
 
Child
 
Child-Focused Research /Research with Children
 
Child-Friendly
 
Childhood
 
Child Soldiers
 
Childhood Studies
 
Children as Consumers
 
Children as Researchers
 
Children's Voices
 
Citizenship
 
Competence
 
Cultural Politics of Childhood
 
Cultural Relativism
 
Delinquency
 
Developmental Psychology
 
Developmentalism
 
Disappearance or Loss of Childhood
 
Diversity
 
Ethnicity
 
Familialization
 
Family
 
Friendship
 
Futurity
 
Gender
 
Generation
 
Global Childhood
 
Health
 
Innocence
 
Internet and New Social Media
 
Interpretive Reproduction
 
Minority Group Status
 
Nature vs. Nurture
 
Needs
 
Neglect
 
Parenting
 
Participation
 
Peer Group
 
Play
 
Poverty
 
Protection
 
Representation
 
Resilience
 
Responsibility
 
Rights
 
Schooling and Schools
 
Sexual Abuse
 
Sexualization
 
Social Actor
 
Social Construction
 
Social World
 
Socialization
 
Spaces for Children and Children's Places
 
Standpoint
 
Street Children
 
Structure
 
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
 
Vulnerability
 
Welfare
 
Work and Working Children
 
Youth

Once again, James and James have produced a book which will define Childhood Studies in the coming years. This is an essential book for everyone interested in this rapidly expanding field and offers a series of short, in-depth, introductory essays which provide invaluable starting points for further exploration. Indispensible to anyone interested in studying childhood.

Heather Montgomery
Reader in the Anthropology of Childhood at The Open University


Scholars and students will welcome this updated edition of a definitive introductory text by two of the world's leading authorities in Childhood Studies. Key Concepts provides insightful and challenging discussions of some of the major themes and issues in this burgeoning field.
David Buckingham
Loughborough University


Allison and Adrian James have been amongst the pioneers who established Childhood Studies as a cross-disciplinary field relevant to all who carry out research or work with children and young people.

They are in a unique position to introduce the diverse, and in some cases overlapping and ambiguous concepts that are an inevitable, and also a healthy consequence of crossing disciplinary boundaries...

Arranged alphabetically, core ideas about "Agency" and "Development" through to "Socialisation" and "Youth" are explained in straightforward language, with a concise introduction to key theoretical debates, as well as up to date references...

This second edition is a welcome addition to the bookshelf, offering an even more comprehensive and up to date guide, which will be an essential resource for established researchers and novice students alike.

Martin Woodhead
The Open University


Key concepts clearly and succinctly explained; a reference book for students on this programme.

Professor Rene Koglbauer
School of Education, Newcastle University
December 20, 2019

A useful text to support continued research into key aspects

Mrs Karen Williams
Faculty of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University
March 11, 2016

I found this text to be a really useful introduction to Childhood Studies. The book is informative, clearly establishing the key concepts but also thought provoking; identifying the complexities that surround this discipline. The suggestions for further reading were much appreciated, too.

Ms Jane hart
School of Education, Nottingham Trent University
September 1, 2015

Our first year students struggle not only with new ideas but with the terminology of ideas, concepts, discourses. This book will now be essential reading for all students on the BA Childhood Studies, and we hope it will be their close companion througout their degree course. It is an excellent 'go to dictionary of ideas' for childhood studies students.

Dr Anne-Marie Smith
School of Education, Bangor University
August 18, 2015

Very useful in explaining all the important key concepts, highlighting which topics interrelate with others, and providing a good basis for future reading.

Ms Patricia Thomson
School of Education, Social Work &, Dundee University
August 6, 2015

A really good guide for the various aspects and concepts in Childhood Studies. Key information all at hand - very easy to follow and find the details one is looking for. Very useful as a tool for anyone studying in the Childhood field

Ms Sinead Hickey
Childcare Dept, National College of Buisness Administration
January 2, 2015

This is a very good book providing easy access to key ideas in childhood studies. It is good as an adjunct and ready reference rather than a core text.

Dr Leanne Robins
Child and Family Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway
November 14, 2013

A great introduction / reference text for key concepts.

Mrs Justine Gallagher
Sch of Health,Community & Educ Studies, Northumbria University
September 9, 2013

A challenging text that is recommended for all levels of the BA in Childhood Studies programme.
The short, focussed chapters provide students with a comprehensive overview of a topic which they can then research in further depth.

Mrs Sharron Galley
Centre for Childhood Studies, Stockport College
June 26, 2013

Allison James

Allison James is Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield where she is also co-director of the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth.  More About Author

Adrian L James

Professor Adrian James is Emeritus Professor of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield.  More About Author

For instructors

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