Kerry Robinson: Innocence, Knowledge, and the Construction of Childhood: The Contradictory Nature of Sexuality and Censorship in Children’s Contemporary Lives

Abstract

In Innocence, Knowledge, and the Construction of Childhood: The Contradictory Nature of Sexuality and Censorship in Children’s Contemporary Lives, Kerry Robinson (2013) exposes the harm imposed on children through their treatment as innocent beings inherently different from adults. She argues that the adult/child binary, found in modern Western society, justifies the dismissal of children’s experiences and subjects them to extreme and harmful surveillance. Under the guise of childhood innocence, governments are able to maintain social control and social inequality that ensure the production of ‘‘good citizen-subjects.’’ Robinson calls for change in children’s access to knowledge on sexuality and sexual citizenship. Using research that busts the myths and fears held by society regarding competency and sexuality during childhood, Robinson argues that current policies and censorship do more harm than good. This book is heavily grounded in sociological and psychological theory, empirical research in the social sciences, and Robinson’s own professional and personal experiences. She utilizes the work and perspective of multiple classic theorists such as Freud, Piaget, Bourdieu, and especially Foucault. Although most of her work is conducted in Australia, Robinson analyzes laws, policies, and curriculum on an international level to support her claims. Her analysis also emphasizes heteronormativity in Western societies and how the subjugation of non-heterosexual experiences relates to children’s self-discovery. Robinson aims to open readers’ eyes to the danger of withholding information from children during critical periods of selfdiscovery and seeks to destroy the strict line between adulthood and childhood. In chapter one, The Contradictory Nature of Children’s Contemporary Lives, Robinson discusses her background and situates herself as a researcher who has dedicated over 15 years of her time and study to children and sexuality. She provides a theoretical framework for her contentions by claiming a post-developmentalist perspective with an emphasis on feminist and queer theories. Robinson views knowledge and truth as socially constructed concepts in which power plays a major regulatory role. Furthermore, she holds that all individuals, child or adult, possess agency (the ability to knowingly and willingly act on their behalf) and are in a constant process of defining the ‘‘self.’’ Robinson adequately establishes the lens through which she will format her arguments throughout the book. In this first chapter, Robinson takes her stance that a binary system allows children to become tools of the state that are powerless, dependent, and subject to surveillance. She argues that censorship and policing, done in the name of protecting innocent children, is actually counter-productive to their protection. Finally, Robinson uses chapter one to introduce readers to key issues and research that will be discussed throughout the book and gives a clear outline for how she plans to do so. Chapter two, Difficult Knowledge and Subjugated Knowledge: Adult/Child Relations and the Regulation of Citizenship, begins by defining difficult and subjugated knowledge. The former is situated in a psychoanalytic framework while the latter is seen as constructed. The topic of childhood sexuality falls under difficult knowledge primarily due to religion, tradition and political support. It has become such a taboo topic in modern society that parents and educators use childhood innocence as an excuse to avoid the discussion of sexual knowledge with children. It J. R. Peterson (&) Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA e-mail: Petejess@indiana.edu