Key Concepts in Childhood Studies: (Sage Key Concepts Series)

"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." - Martin Woodhead, The Open University "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." - Sharron Galley, Centre for Childhood Studies, Stockport College "This book gives a fantastic first look at many key concepts which are new to students in a way that is easily approachable and understandable. A great place to start further studies." - Kathryn Peckham, Chichester University This book has already proved itself as a market 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.

Table of Contents:
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

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

Review :
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