Who do you think you are? Children's definitions of being a ‘child’

AbstractWe asked 92 children in North West England, aged 2 –17,if they were children and what itmeant to be a child. Our findings show that not all children think they are a ‘child’. Although different age groups defined ‘childness’ in different ways, children reproduced normative Western discourses of childhood, including ideas which subordinate them. The children in our study seemed unable to articulate their capabilities and contributions. We argue that child ren and adults need to co-produce positive definitions of childness to facilitate adult acceptance of children's participation in society and continue the struggle against adultism.
Source: Children and Society - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research