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Taming Childhood?

A Critical Perspective on Policy, Practice and Parenting

  • Explores and critiques theories of the socialisation of children

  • Argues that the changing nature of childhood has a negative impact upon children and young people’s ability to achieve well-being

  • Examines stages of socialisation such as early years, school and the home

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 1-11
  3. The Context of Childhood

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 13-34
  4. Introducing Tameness

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 35-55
  5. Home and Family

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 57-81
  6. Taming in the Early Years

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 83-102
  7. Tameness at School

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 103-124
  8. Conclusion

    • Rob Creasy, Fiona Corby
    Pages 125-136
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 137-159

About this book

This book explores the links between recent reports of increasing levels of unhappiness and mental health problems amongst children and young people, and changes within childhood which restrict and reduce opportunities for children to develop and maintain resilience. Although in academic terms children may be viewed as beings, Creasy and Corby posit that there is much to suggest that for parents, practitioners and policy-makers, children are primarily seen as becomings. The book argues that viewing children as becomings, together with the idea that childhood is fraught with danger, contributes to practices and policies which can be seen as making childhood tame. This taming of childhood leads to an impoverished childhood that does not provide the space that children need to grow and develop. Furthermore, Taming Childhood? challenges the idea that young adults are 'snowflakes', unable to cope with everyday pressures.

Students and scholars across a range of social science disciplines will find this book of interest. 


Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Psychological and Social Sciences, York St John University, York, UK

    Rob Creasy

  • School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK

    Fiona Corby

About the authors

Rob Creasy is Subject Director, Social Science at York St John University, UK.

Fiona Corby is Senior Lecturer in Education at Teeside University, UK.



Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access