Sociology of Childhood
'The provision of many amusing examples from Corsaro's own research experience
with children make his book a thoroughly enjoyable read as well as a valuable
critical sociological analysis of childhood' - Sociology
The Sociology of Childhood is the Second Edition of a text that has been universally acclaimed as the best book on the subject available today. It is the only text that thoroughly covers children and childhood from a sociological perspective. The second edition retains the same quality coverage of social theories of childhood, the consideration of children and childhood in historical and cultural perspective, children's peer cultures from preschool through preadolescence, and the social problems of children. The book has been updated to include new research, information, and discussions on the latest social indicators regarding children in the United States and around the world.
Key Features
New chapter on up-to-date methods of research for studying children.
New chapters on theory, cultural change, and children's peer cultures.
New section on children's rights including a description and discussion of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Updated chapter on the Future of Childhood addresses current policy debates and changing demographics related to children in today's societies.
Contains many examples of children's actual play and behavior.
Provides photographs and charts that capture the complexity and diversity of children's lives.
The Sociology of Childhood is highly recommended for use as the core text in courses on the sociology of children and childhood, as well as for parents, teachers, and other adults interested in the social lives and development of children. It can also be used in early education, child development, and child psychology courses, and as a supplemental text in the area of family studies.
William A. Corsaro is the Robert H. Shaffer Class of 1967 Endowed Professor of Sociology at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he teaches courses on the sociology of childhood, childhood in contemporary society, and ethnographic research methods. Corsaro is the author of Friendship and Peer Culture in the Early Years (1985) and "We're Friends, Right": Inside Kids' Culture (2003). He was a Fulbright Senior Research Fellow in Bologna, Italy, in 1983-84 and a Fulbright Senior Specialist Fellow in Trondheim, Norway, in 2003. His research has been featured on NPR, the BBC in London, and in the New Yorker.
Contents: Foreword Preface PART ONE The Sociological Study of Childhood Chapter 1. Social Theories of Childhood Sociology's Rediscovery of Childhood Traditional Theories: Socialization Interpretive Reproduction: Children Collectively Participate in Society Summary Chapter 2. The Structure of Childhood and Children's Interpretive Reproductions Assumptions of the Structural Perspective Childhood, Children's Activities, and Interpretive Reproduction in Peer Culture Summary Chapter 3. Studying Children and Childhood Macro Level Methods Micro Level Methods Nontraditional Methods in Studying Children Ethical Issues in Researching Children's Lives Summary PART TWO Children, Childhood, and Families in Historical and Cultural Context Chapter 4. Historical Views of Childhood and Children Philippe Aries's Centuries of Childhood The Debate Regarding Grand Stage Theories of the Family and Childhood The New History of Childhood Summary Chapter 5. Social Change, Families, and Children Examining Changes in Families from the Children's Perspective Children's Everyday Lives in Families The Effects of Recent Socioeconomic Changes on Children and Childhood in Western Societies The Effects of Recent Socioeconomic Changes on Children and Childhood in Developing Societies Summary PART THREE Children's Cultures Chapter 6. Children's Peer Cultures and Interpretive Reproduction Examining Peer Culture from a Children's Perspective Central Importance of Peer Culture in Interpretive Reproduction Children's Transitions to Initial Peer Cultures Symbolic Aspects of Children's Cultures Material Aspects of Children's Cultures Summary Chapter 7. Sharing and Control in Initial Peer Cultures Central Themes in Children's Initial Peer Cultures Friendship, Sharing and Social Participation Autonomy and Control in Peer Culture Summary Chapter 8. Conflict and Differentiation in the Initial Peer Culture Conflict and Peer Relations Social Differentiation in Initial Peer Cultures Summary Chapter 9. Preadolescent Peer Cultures Peer Cultures in Preadolescence Friendship Processes in Preadolescent Peer Cultures Autonomy and Identity in Preadolescent Peer Cultures Summary PART FOUR Children, Social Problems, and the Future of Childhood Chapter 10. Children Social Problems and the Family Changing Family Structures and Children's Lives Work, Families, and Childhood Divorce and Its Effects on Children Child Abuse in the Family Summary Chapter 11. Children, Social Problems, and Society Poverty and the Quality of Children's Lives The Human Face of Poverty: The Story of Nicholas Teen Pregnancy and Nonmaritial Births Violence, Victimization, and the Loss of Childhood Summary Chapter 12. The Future of Childhood The Major Challenges Some More Modest Proposals to Enrich Children's Lives Conclusion References Glossary/Index