In recent years there has been a rapid growth of interest in the sociological study of childhood. This new book draws together the major developments in the field. In particular, the book discusses contemporary sociological and anthropological research in order to develop key links between the study of childhood and social theory, exposing its historical, political and cultural dimensions.

Allison James is Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield and Professor II at the Norwegian Centre for Child Research, Norwegian University for Science and Technology, Trondheim; Chris Jenks is Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University; Alan Prout is Professor of Sociology and Childhood Studies at the University of Warwick.