Oriental Vector: History, Society, State
Bibliographic description:
, Sociological Interpretations of Childhood: From Object to Agency // Oriental Vector: History, Society, State. - 2026. №1. . - С. 3-12.
Title:
Sociological Interpretations of Childhood: From Object to Agency
Financing:
The research was carried out within the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education FEFU FZNS-2023-0032 – Social space of the childhood wellbeing: A comprehensive analysis.
Codes:
Annotation:
The article provides an overview of key theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of childhood. Interpretations of childhood within the frameworks of structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and cultural anthropology are examined,
where childhood is understood as a stage of socialization, an interactive practice, and a culturally variable experience. Particular attention is given to the contribution of structuralism and post-structuralism, which conceptualize childhood as a space of power, discipline, and the reproduction of social inequality. It is shown that within the new sociology of childhood, childhood is viewed as an autonomous social world, while children are considered social actors endowed with agency. A separate section addresses the spatial turn, within which childhood is interpreted as a socially and territorially organized practice embedded in specific infrastructural and symbolic configurations. It is concluded that a comprehensive analysis of childhood as a social phenomenon is necessary in order to identify structural factors determining the living conditions and well-being of the younger generation.
where childhood is understood as a stage of socialization, an interactive practice, and a culturally variable experience. Particular attention is given to the contribution of structuralism and post-structuralism, which conceptualize childhood as a space of power, discipline, and the reproduction of social inequality. It is shown that within the new sociology of childhood, childhood is viewed as an autonomous social world, while children are considered social actors endowed with agency. A separate section addresses the spatial turn, within which childhood is interpreted as a socially and territorially organized practice embedded in specific infrastructural and symbolic configurations. It is concluded that a comprehensive analysis of childhood as a social phenomenon is necessary in order to identify structural factors determining the living conditions and well-being of the younger generation.
Keywords:
childhood, sociology of childhood, socialization, social space, social inequality, child agency, social worlds of childhood.
List of references:
Article.pdf