The Changing Experience of Childhood

Reviews / Votes

"This book is a fruit of sociologists' discovery of the child. The authors characterize past research in the field as "harmism" which examined children only in terms of the damage that parental divorce might do to them. In contrast, they set out to see children as people in their own right with voices that should be heard. The result is a rich, compelling and sometimes disturbing account of parental separation as seen by children." Martin Richards, Director, Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge.



"In this sensitive and insightful account of children's experiences of family change Smart and her colleagues provide detailed and evocative illustration of children's own views of divorce and parenting. Through the images and words of children themselves this book shows children to be active moral reasoners and negotiators in the construction of new meanings and ideas of family life post-divorce." Allison James, University of Hull


"The authors aim to be non-judgemental, to recognise each child's unique perspective, and to remember the powerful constraints on children's lives that complicate the power imbalance between adults and young people. In these repsects, their work acts as a reminder and a reaffirmation of high standards for policymakers and practitioners". Pricilla Alderson, Institute of Education, University of London.


"This book is of signal importance for all practitioners and policymakers concerned with children's issues and in particular their role in legal proceedings" Friona Raitt, Scolag Legal Journal