Drawing on work from within the developing field of childhood studies

This text examines theoretical and policy driven understandings of the current position of children in society. Through an analysis of policy reforms and professional initiatives within educational child care and legal contexts, the author examines different, potentially competing viewpoints of children's social position.

Chapters are devoted to a number of related themes

including child policy and moral ambiguity, the limits to child protection, the individualization of schooling and childhood and citizenship.