"Arranged alphabetically, core ideas about 'Agency' and 'Development' through to 'Socialisation' and 'Youth' are explained in straightforward language, with a concise introduction to key theoretical debates, as well as up to date references."
- Martin Woodhead, The Open University

"A challenging text that is recommended for all levels of the BA in Childhood Studies programme. The short, focussed chapters provide students with a comprehensive overview of a topic which they can then research in further depth."
- Sharron Galley, Centre for Childhood Studies, Stockport College

"This book gives a fantastic first look at many key concepts which are new to students in a way that is easily approachable and understandable. A great place to start further studies."
- Kathryn Peckham, Chichester University

This book has already proved itself as a market leader in Childhood Studies. All of the strengths of the First Edition have been retained. The book is comprehensive and judged with the needs of students in mind. It is a model of clarity and precision and has been acknowledged as such in reviews and course feedback.
The new edition thoroughly revises old entries and adds new ones. The book is the most accessible, relevant student introduction to this expanding, interdisciplinary field. It is an indispensable teaching text and an ideal prompt for researchers.

Allison James is Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield where she is also co-director of the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth. 

Preface to the Second Edition
Introduction
Age and Maturity
Agency
Best Interests
Child
Child-Focused Research /Research with Children
Child-Friendly
Childhood
Child Soldiers
Childhood Studies
Children as Consumers
Children as Researchers
Children¿s Voices
Citizenship
Competence
Cultural Politics of Childhood
Cultural Relativism
Delinquency
Developmental Psychology
Developmentalism
Disappearance or Loss of Childhood
Diversity
Ethnicity
Familialization
Family
Friendship
Futurity
Gender
Generation
Global Childhood
Health
Innocence
Internet and New Social Media
Interpretive Reproduction
Minority Group Status
Nature vs. Nurture
Needs
Neglect
Parenting
Participation
Peer Group
Play
Poverty
Protection
Representation
Resilience
Responsibility
Rights
Schooling and Schools
Sexual Abuse
Sexualization
Social Actor
Social Construction
Social World
Socialization
Spaces for Children and Children¿s Places
Standpoint
Street Children
Structure
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Vulnerability
Welfare
Work and Working Children
Youth