By regarding children as actors and conducting empirical research on children's agency, Childhood Studies have gained significant influence on a wide range of different academic disciplines. This has made agency one of the key concepts of Childhood Studies, with articles on the subject featured in handbooks and encyclopaedias.

Reconceptualising Agency and Childhood is the first collection devoted to the central concept of agency in Childhood Studies. With contributions from experts in the field, the chapters cover theoretical, practical, historical, transnational and institutional dimensions of agency, rekindling discussion and introducing fundamental and contemporary sociological perspectives to the field of research. Particular attention is paid to connecting agency in the social sciences with Childhood Studies, considering both the theoretical foundations and the practice of research into agency. Empirical case studies are also explored, which focus upon child protection, schools and childcare at a variety of institutions worldwide.

This book is an essential reference for students and scholars of Childhood Studies, and is also relevant to Sociology, Social Work, Education, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and Geography.

About the Author

Florian Esser is a lecturer in the Department of Social Pedagogy and Organisation Studies at the University of Hildesheim, Germany.

Meike S. Baader is Professor for General Educational Science at the University of Hildesheim, Germany.

Tanja Betz is Professor for Childhood Studies and Elementary and Primary Education in the Department of Educational Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.

Beatrice Hungerland is Professor of Childhood Studies at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Germany.

Reviews

"The volume provides a comprehensive and reliable overview of the international discussion on the concept of agency that has taken place over the past thirty years, focusing on childhood studies in the Global North."

Prof. Dr. Manfred Liebel, Master of Arts Childhood Studies and Children's Rights (MACR) an der Fachhochschule

"This is an important, productive and ambitious collection that will prove useful to established and emerging academics interested in employing theory to further the intellectual trajectory of Childhood Studies. The authors should be congratulated for bringing together this collection of thinkers in the one collection."

Catherine Hartung, University of Otago College of Education, Dunedin, New Zealand

Book Information
ISBN 9780815359906
Author Florian Esser
Format Paperback
Page Count 316
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 453g