Children and Social Policy

Reflections on the Sociology of Childhood in the UK

“…Work on the sociology of the family either focused on the family as an entire unit, or on the parents. This was even the case for research into matters that strongly affected the well-being of individual children such as poverty or child abuse (Daniel and Ivatts, 1998). (Cohen, 1972;Hall and Jefferson, 1976) and on working -class youth, particularly boys (e.g.…”

Rights, expertise and negotiations in care and education

“…Children's needs do not change according to whether they are in an education or care setting (Daniel & Ivatts, 1998) even when we acknowledge that 'needs' is a fluid concept, disguising uncertainty and disagreement (Woodhead, 1990): I think the one thing, the most important thing you need to have is a good relationship with the mother-not the child. A good relationship with the mother, because if you don't get on well with the mother you obviously, you know, it's going to damage the relationship with the child in the long term.…”

‘The terrible twos’: Gaining control in the nursery?

“…Popular terms for young children imply that they are insufficient-'pre-school children', 'under-fives', 'under-threes'-or incapable-'toddlers'- (Daniel and Ivatts, 1998). As a result, early childhood is placed in deficit even in terms of childhood, which is already defined as lacking (Holloway and Valentine, 2000a).…”

“…UK social policy positions young children firmly within the family, excessively focusing on adult concerns and interests (Daniel and Ivatts, 1998). Accordingly, the needs and experiences of young children tend to be obscured behind those of their adult carers.…”