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Product Description
Review
'This is one of the best pictures of childhood that I've read, and certainly it's an important account of the confused and anxiety-ridden state we're in today' Phillip Pullman, author of the His Dark Materials trilogy 'Read this book - Libby Brooks brings childhood's present alive in its historical context, and puts modern supernannies in their historical place' Oliver James, author of They F*** You Up 'A thoroughly enjoyable read' Claire Rayner 'This is a wonderful book. It is a remarkable and important polemic on the state of contemorary childhood ... This book tells us some very disturbing things about ourselves. I hope the policymakers read it' Helena Kennedy QC
Product Description
Children now make up forty per cent of the world's population. The bestseller charts would suggest that we savour stories of unhappy upbringings - are in fact greedy for them, the worse the better - but in today's ASBO-afflicted Britain, it is clear that there is much we don't understand about contemporary childhood. Children today are the focus of much of society's anxieties: about behaviour, nutrition, sexuality, consumerism, achievement, responsibility, about what exactly is the proper shape of a life. But, how does it really feel to be growing up today, from the inside? This extraordinary book tracks ten very different children between the ages of two and sixteen, each chosen for how they illuminate a particular archetype of childhood experience, or an especial locus of adult anxiety. Woven through each chapter are trips into more discursive territory, but essentially, this is childhood told from the inside: a travel book about a state of being, telling the story of contemporary childhood with the help of those who still reside there. "Childhood" is a truly remarkable piece of writing that unearths many unusual truths about adulthood too.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
I picked this book up in a secondhand hand shop thinking it might be worth a browse, but once I started reading it I was hooked. The basic framework is interviews with 9 children - perhaps "interviews" is not really the right word, rather the author spends a lot of time with each child and describes their life and views, often using their own words, but she also has a great gift for capturing different children's speech patterns in her own writing without it seeming self-conscious or patronising. I found it interesting to read about the lives of a diverse group of British children and also quite heartwarming. Each chapter/child is also used to illuminate various issues around childhood - theories from the history of childhood or child psychology as well as looking at popular perceptions of modern childhood. Overall a very readable, warm-hearted and intelligent book.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
A fantastic collection of nine case studies of modern youth in all its forms, from a teenage mother to a public schoolboy. Brooks spends several months with each child, aged between 4 and 16 years old, reporting honestly and candidly on their day-to-day lives, friendships, education, family dynamics and interests. Entwined within each of these case studies are explorations of issues affecting children today, from school dinners to street safety, sex education to consumerism, based on historical, sociological and psychological investigation. Compelling and thought provoking.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
On the essential reading list for my uni course, this book allows us a snapshot into the lives of a range of children and young people, and relates the children's experiences to policies, and sociological perspectives.Includes discussion on issues such as moral panic and youth cultures, as well as healthly eating etc. A good read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The story of childhood
I was recommended to read this book,I did read it but it wasnt what I expected and it wasnt really written in a way that appealed to me so Ive read similar books that I prefered.
Published 10 months ago by LearningLola
Total Tripe
Save yourself some money - go and sit on a bus or Tram near to some kids and listen to what they say and what their focus is about .... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Martian Invader
Libby Brooks review
This funny book is both insightful and revealing. It paints a real picture of growing up in the UK today, linking children's views on life with educational theorists and childhood... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Deb
Only bought it for my uni course.
I found this rather boring which I was required to use for a uni assignment. Reading about every single detail of the child and having to listen to them apply more psychological... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Miss Shah
A very worthwhile read
I bought this book to read before I started my teaching course at University. It gives you an insight into the different lifestyles and upbringings of children today and the... Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2009 by Hayley
The ever changing face of childhood
I'd been considering studying Childhood and Youth Studies with the Open University and decided to give this book a go as a brief insight into the concept of childhood. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Charlene
A pleasant surprise
When I picked this book from the 'new book' area at my university library, I didn't know what to expect. I don't know any British kids, lol. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2007 by DeNosJours
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