Frances Atherton – författare

The Philosophy of Homelessness is borne out of a five-year ethnographic research project involving being with a group of chronically homeless people in Chester.

A small city located in the northwest of the UK, Chester is economically supported by its heritage and the tourism that this attracts. In an obvious sense, the awkwardness of the phrase ‘being with a group of chronically homeless people’ is regrettable. Nevertheless, this unfortunately self-conscious phrase is significant, with its importance residing in the word and concept of ‘being’.

Whilst philosophical understandings of being are often thought about in rather abstract terms, The Philosophy of Homelessness explores the daily experience of chronic homelessness from a perspective that renders its ontological impress in ways that are explicitly felt, often in forms that are overtly political and exclusionary in character, especially in terms of identity and belonging within the city.

Themes that emerge from the work, which coalesce around living in the margins of the city and experiencing only the shadow of the right to be, include: the economy of chronic addiction and its impact upon the body; the relationship between chronic homelessness and the law; and chronic homelessness and identity and desire. These themes are explored through a number of thinkers, though predominantly: Nietzsche, Lacan, Bourdieu and Kristeva.

This work is likely to be of interest to anyone working in the fields of: criminology; sociology, especially those areas concerned with marginalised groups; and philosophy in its socially and politically engaged forms; as well as to those with an interest in homelessness.

The Philosophy of Homelessness is borne out of a five-year ethnographic research project involving being with a group of chronically homeless people in Chester.

A small city located in the northwest of the UK, Chester is economically supported by its heritage and the tourism that this attracts. In an obvious sense, the awkwardness of the phrase ‘being with a group of chronically homeless people’ is regrettable. Nevertheless, this unfortunately self-conscious phrase is significant, with its importance residing in the word and concept of ‘being’.

Whilst philosophical understandings of being are often thought about in rather abstract terms, The Philosophy of Homelessness explores the daily experience of chronic homelessness from a perspective that renders its ontological impress in ways that are explicitly felt, often in forms that are overtly political and exclusionary in character, especially in terms of identity and belonging within the city.

Themes that emerge from the work, which coalesce around living in the margins of the city and experiencing only the shadow of the right to be, include: the economy of chronic addiction and its impact upon the body; the relationship between chronic homelessness and the law; and chronic homelessness and identity and desire. These themes are explored through a number of thinkers, though predominantly: Nietzsche, Lacan, Bourdieu and Kristeva.

This work is likely to be of interest to anyone working in the fields of: criminology; sociology, especially those areas concerned with marginalised groups; and philosophy in its socially and politically engaged forms; as well as to those with an interest in homelessness.

This new and revised edition includes an increased focus on:

- inclusion as a political issue

- social class

- poverty

- children's rights

- gay and lesbian parents and staff

This text is essential for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and devleop their own inclusive practices.

Cathy Nutbrown is Professor of Education and Director for Research at the University of Sheffield.

Peter Clough is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield

Frances Atherton is Head of Department of Early Childhood Studies, at the University of Chester.

This new and revised edition includes an increased focus on:

- inclusion as a political issue

- social class

- poverty

- children's rights

- gay and lesbian parents and staff

This text is essential for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and devleop their own inclusive practices.

Cathy Nutbrown is Professor of Education and Director for Research at the University of Sheffield.

Peter Clough is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield

Frances Atherton is Head of Department of Early Childhood Studies, at the University of Chester.

'This book is drawn from a study carried out with rigour and contains several gems, such as the 'bike and slide exploration'; the idea of adults engaging in 'a dialogue of conceptual correspondence' with children; and tables outlining 'what the children might have been thinking'. A great read!' -Dr Cath Arnold, Pen Green Early Years Centre

'This is an exciting and illuminating account of babies and toddlers, following their schema fascinations with determination and competence, as they continually explore and experiment and come to know their world. This book captivated me. It should be in every early childhood education setting' -Pam Cubey

This is the first book to focus specifically on Schemas and children under three. The authors trace the development of schemas from motor level through to symbolic representation, and show how to use schema theory to understand young children's learning and behaviour.

This accessible and student-friendly book includes:

-activities and discussion points

-links to policy and practice

-descriptive observational material

-a look at the ethics of this kind of research

-numerous photographs and illustrations

-suggestions for follow-up reading

The book is aimed at early childhood professionals and practitioners in ECEC settings, as well as those on initial training courses, teacher education, Early Years courses, and higher degrees.

This new and revised edition includes an increased focus on:

- inclusion as a political issue

- social class

- poverty

- children′s rights

- gay and lesbian parents and staff

This text is essential for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and devleop their own inclusive practices.

Cathy Nutbrown is Professor of Education and Director for Research at the University of Sheffield.

Peter Clough is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield

Frances Atherton is Head of Department of Early Childhood Studies, at the University of Chester.