Key Issues in Childhood and Youth Studies

<p><em>Key Issues in Childhood and Youth Studies</em> presents an informed and critical commentary on a range of key issues related to children and childhood, from birth to eighteen years. Challenging current orthodoxies within the adult world on the nature of childhood, it is an essential text for students of childhood and youth studies as well as those studying relevant professional qualifications in social work, teaching and health.</p><p>Exploring ideas from the historical development of childhood to the demonising of youth, it is divided into five clearly defined sections, each with their own editorial introduction which highlights the key themes. The sections focus on: </p><ul> <li>the concept and creation of childhood</li> <li>child development</li> <li>ideas of risk, protection and childhood</li> <li>the politics of childhood</li> <li>international perspectives on childhood.</li> </ul><p>This invaluable textbook provides an overview of childhood and youth studies and encourages students to think about the issues discussed and to develop their own ideas. Each chapter contains student activities, key concept boxes, recommended further reading and a reflection exercise.</p> <p><strong>Part 1: Creating Childhood</strong> 1. The Origins of Childhood: In the Beginning… <em>John Clarke </em> 2. Construction of Childhood: The Building Blocks <em>Shirley J Pressler</em> 3. Race, Racism and Mixed Heritage: A Mixed Life <em>Derek Kassem</em> <strong>Part 2: The Developing Child </strong>4. The Psychology of the Child: Mind Games <em>Diahann Gallard</em> 5. The Development of Speech and Language: Inborn or Bred <em>Lisa Murphy</em> 6. Childhood Sexuality: Coming of Age <em>John Clarke</em> <strong>Part 3: Children and Risk</strong> 7. Children and the Notion of Risk: The Nanny State? <em>Andrew Kennedy </em> 8. The Child and Protection: Not Seen, Not Heard <em>Lynne Kendal </em> 9. Life as a Looked-after Child: The Parent of Last Resort <em>Derek Kassem</em> 10. Healthy in Body, Healthy in Mind <em>John Harrison</em> <strong>Part 4: The Politics of Childhood </strong>11. The Social Construction of Deviant Identities: The Devil Wears a Hoodie <em>John Robinson</em> 12. The Testing Regime of Childhood: Up Against the Wall <em>Terry Wrigley </em> 13. The Rights of the Child: Rightfully Mine! <em>Heather Montgomery </em> 14. Childhood and Youth Poverty in the UK: The Have-Nots <em>Diane Grant</em> Part <strong>5: The Global Child</strong> 15. The Palestinian Experience: Brutalized Childhoods <em>Samir Qouta</em> 16. Childhood in the Context of HIV/AIDS: The Death of Childhood <em>Gabriella Torstensson</em> 17. Moving for a Better Life: To Go or to Starve <em>Sam Punch</em></p>