An extremely complex and highly contested concept, ‘childhood’ refers to a life phase, to the age-group defined as children, as well as to a cultural construction that is part of the social and economic structure of communities.

Reflecting this complexity, these comprehensive volumes introduce the reader to the wide variety of interpretations placed on childhood both today and in the past. Illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary study of the area, the collection includes contributions from the fields of sociology, anthropology, psychology, social geography, history, philosophy, and socio-legal theory - undoubtedly making it an ideal resource for a range of students and scholars interested in this fascinating subject.