Childhood in German Sociology and Society

• Published in: Current sociology Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 292 - 308
• Main Author: Zeiher, Helga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2010; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Agency; Childhood; Children; Federal Republic of Germany; Germany; Identity; Institutionalization; Intergenerational relationships; International Cooperation; Policy making; Positioning; Research trends; Self-determination; Social Change; Social structure; Socialization; Society; Sociological research; Sociology; Urban areas; Urban Education; Urban policy; Welfare; Welfare policy; children’s agency; social structure; childhood; children; social change
• ISSN: 0011-3921; 1461-7064
• DOI: 10.1177/0011392109354246

The emergence and progression of childhood sociological research and theorizing in Germany over the last three decades are outlined in the article, thereby showing a growing variety of sociological approaches and publication activities, a development towards international cooperation and institutionalization within the German Association of Sociology. The prevalence of two main orientations is focused on. These are, first, an emphasis on children’s agency and self-determinacy, which is characterized by its specific origins in both German postwar history and particular subject-orientated education and socialization concepts; and second, a strong interest in and concern for recent social changes which can be observed in theorizing and research on issues such as the positioning of childhood in the generational order, children’s welfare policies, urban environments, the media and market, intergenerational relationships and the formation of identity.