Rethinking Childhood (The Rutgers Series in Childhood Studies)

Being a child in American society can be problematic. Twenty percent of American children live in poverty, parents are divorcing at high rates, and educational institutions are not always fulfilling their goals. Against this backdrop, children are often patronized or idealized by adults. Rarely do we look for the strengths within children that can serve as the foundation for growth and development. In Rethinking Childhood , twenty contributors, coming from the disciplines of anthropology, government, law, psychology, education, religion, philosophy, and sociology, provide a multidisciplinary view of childhood by listening and understanding the ways children shape their own futures. Topics include education, poverty, family life, divorce, neighborhood life, sports, the internet, and legal status. In all these areas, children have both voice and agency. They construct their own social networks and social reality, sort out their own values, and assess and cope with the perplexing world around them. The contributors present ideas that lead not only to new analyses but also to innovative policy applications. Taken together, these essays develop a new paradigm for understanding childhood as children experience these years. This paradigm challenges readers to develop fresh ways of listening to childrens voices that enable both children and adults to cross the barriers of age, experience, and stereotyping that make communication difficult. A volume in the Rutgers Series in Childhood Studies, edited by Myra Bluebond-Langner. Twenty Contributors, Coming From The Disciplines Of Anthropology, Government, Law, Psychology, Education, Religion, Philosophy, And Sociology, Provide A Multidisciplinary View Of Childhood By Listening And Understanding The Ways Children Shape Their Own Futures. Topics Include Education, Poverty, Family Life, Divorce, Neighborhood Life, Sports, The Internet, And Legal Status. In All These Areas, Children Have Both Voice And Agency. They Construct Their Own Social Networks And Social Reality, Sort Out Their Own Values, And Assess And Cope With The Perplexing World Around Them. The Contributors Present Ideas That Lead Not Only To New Analyses But Also To Innovative Policy Applications. From Publisher Description. Preface ; Introduction: The Imperative And The Process For Rethinking Childhood / Peter B. Pufall And Richard P. Unsworth -- Pt. I. Children's Voice And Agency. Understanding Childhood From An Interdisciplinary Perspective: Problems And Potentials / Allison James ; Children As Philosophers / Gareth B. Matthews ; Children As Theologians / Eileen W. Lindner ; Action, Voice And Identity In Children's Lives / Jack A. Meacham -- Pt. Ii. Voice And Agency In Education. Do You Know You Have Worms On Your Pearls?: Listening To Children's Voices In The Classroom / Susan Etheredge ; Cultural Integrity And Schooling Outcomes Of African American Children From Low-income Backgrounds / A. Wade Boykin And Brenda A. Allen ; We Have These Rules Inside: The Effects Of Exercising Voice In A Children's Online Forum / Justine Cassell -- Pt. Iii. Voice And Agency Within Families. Advertising And Marketing To Children In The United States / Enola G. Aird ; Children's Lives In And Out Of Poverty / Karen A. Gray ; Children Of Divorce / Jan Pryor And Robert E. Emery -- Pt. Iv. Voice And Agency In Neighborhoods And Sports. Negotiating The Dance: Social Capital From The Perspective Of Neighborhood Children And Adults / James C. Spilsbury And Jill E. Korbin ; Are We Having Fun Yet? / Rhonda Singer -- Pt. V. Voice And Agency As Legal Rights. Re-visioning Rights For Children / Barbara Bennett Woodhouse ; Recognizing The Roots: Children's Identity Rights / Alice Hearst -- Resources For Further Research: A Roadmap For Surfing The Internet / Raymond A. Ducharme. Edited By Peter B. Pufall, Richard P. Unsworth. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. OUR ATTEMPT IN this book to rethink childhood is based on assumptions about why such a project is necessary at this point in history and about how such a project can be carried out.