Fiona Corby - Böcker

For anyone studying childhood or families, a consideration of the state may not always seem obvious, yet a good critical knowledge of politics, social policy and social theory is vital to understanding their impacts upon families’ everyday lives. Accessibly written and assuming no prior understanding, it shows how key concepts, including vulnerability, risk, resilience, safeguarding and wellbeing are socially constructed. Carefully designed to support learning, it provides students with clear guidance on how to use what they have read when writing academic assignments alongside questions designed to support the development of critical thinking skills. Covering issues from what the family is within a multicultural society, through issues around poverty, social mobility and life-chances, this book gives students an excellent grounding in matters relating to work with children and families. It features:• ‘using this chapter’ sections showing how the content can be used in assignments;• tips on applying critical thinking to books and articles – and how to make use of such thinking in essays;• further reading.

For anyone studying childhood or families, a consideration of the state may not always seem obvious, yet a good critical knowledge of politics, social policy and social theory is vital to understanding their impacts upon families’ everyday lives. Accessibly written and assuming no prior understanding, it shows how key concepts, including vulnerability, risk, resilience, safeguarding and wellbeing are socially constructed. Carefully designed to support learning, it provides students with clear guidance on how to use what they have read when writing academic assignments alongside questions designed to support the development of critical thinking skills. Covering issues from what the family is within a multicultural society, through issues around poverty, social mobility and life-chances, this book gives students an excellent grounding in matters relating to work with children and families. It features:• ‘using this chapter’ sections showing how the content can be used in assignments;• tips on applying critical thinking to books and articles – and how to make use of such thinking in essays;• further reading.

Understanding Contemporary Childhood introduces students to the ways in which childhood is socially constructed by a range of social, cultural and political forces. Accessibly written and assuming no prior knowledge, it outlines key social theories to show how ideas and approaches are influenced by different ways of understanding children and society and how this creates childhoods which can differ markedly from previous generations. With chapter guides, help with written assignments and suggestions for further reading, the book: • provides an accessible, yet critical account of established theories of childhood, such as the importance of attachment, emphasis on learning and the role of play; • explores crucial emerging issues, including transgender rights, the rise of misogyny, social media influences and the impact of the climate crisis; and• will equip students with practical study skills guidance to critically engage with ideas about how society shapes childhood today.Whether new to the subject or deepening your critical perspective, this book equips readers with the tools to understand and interrogate the complex realities of childhood in the 21st century.

Understanding Contemporary Childhood introduces students to the ways in which childhood is socially constructed by a range of social, cultural and political forces. Accessibly written and assuming no prior knowledge, it outlines key social theories to show how ideas and approaches are influenced by different ways of understanding children and society and how this creates childhoods which can differ markedly from previous generations. With chapter guides, help with written assignments and suggestions for further reading, the book: • provides an accessible, yet critical account of established theories of childhood, such as the importance of attachment, emphasis on learning and the role of play; • explores crucial emerging issues, including transgender rights, the rise of misogyny, social media influences and the impact of the climate crisis; and• will equip students with practical study skills guidance to critically engage with ideas about how society shapes childhood today.Whether new to the subject or deepening your critical perspective, this book equips readers with the tools to understand and interrogate the complex realities of childhood in the 21st century.