Feminists Researching Gendered Childhoods ― Generative Entanglements

Feminists Researching Gendered Childhoods charts the evolving nature of feminist theorizing and research methods in childhood studies and the generative potential it has for how researchers, academics and educators are continually encouraged to reconfigure childhood and gender. The book traces the threads of affect and effect that feminist theory and methodologies have made over time to thinking more, and differently, about gender in childhood.

Five key international feminist scholars, Mindy Blaise (Australia), Bronwyn Davies (Australia), Debbie Epstein (UK), Jen Lyttleton-Smith (UK), Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw (Canada) and provide reflective accounts capturing the contribution their own work and that of their peers have made to advancing research practices and theorisations of gender in childhood. Having all approached the study of gendered childhoods in creative and critical ways, these important feminist researchers re-engage and reflect on their earlier work alongside their more contemporary contributions to the field. The scholars each offer 'gifts' in the form of material artefacts such as artwork, poetry, photographs and films which are evoked by the broad issues of gender, childhood, family, curriculum and policy. These artefacts then form the basis of dynamic discussion in each chapter between these experts in the field and the editors, resulting in extended and fresh conceptualisations of gender in childhood. Issues addressed include social justice and transformative methodologies in childhood research, the advancing theoretical perspectives that contribute to fresh understandings of gender in young children's lives; the ways that research into gender in childhood play out in educational agendas; and the specific gender issues perceived critical to address in childhood education.

Jayne Osgood is Professor of Education at Middlesex University, UK and Visiting Professor at Oslo Met University, Norway.

Kerry H. Robinson is Professor of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at Western Sydney University, Australia, and Leader of Sexualities and Genders Research (SaGR).