Towards a Sociology of Children's Rights

Abstract

The growth of sociological interest in children, of what has come to be called ‘children's studies’, has coincided broadly with the development of the modern children's rights movement. Although those working within the discipline of sociology are clearly interested in children's rights and their goals are often similar to the motley assemblage of lawyers, philosophers, educationists etc., whose primary goal is to disseminate and propagate children's rights, and are not so interested in understanding the construct we call ‘childhood’, there has been little dialogue or collaboration between them. The gulf is apparent from an examination of the interests of Childhood, the leading journal on the sociology of childhood, and the International Journal of Children's Rights. Beginning at roughly the same time, with some overlap of boards, the courses steered by the two have never threatened any collision. The two disciplines have much to offer each other as they have to anyone concerned with understanding childhood and improving the lives of children. There is an overlap of interests, to some extent a congruence of visions, but aims and perspectives, even world views, diverge.