ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter I argued for childhood as a contested terrain. Sociological theories of childhood disappearance and crisis are reframed in terms of change and social flux. Whilst the trends are still towards strengthening the subordinate roles of children, there is now some recognition that children are socially competent actors. There is thus a degree of ambiguity in the way that we view children. In this chapter I focus more on the way that childhood is viewed within the policy domain. In particular, I examine the kinds of ideas on childhood to develop from recent child-care and education policy. Theories of crisis draw on policy as a means of moral rescue. The state is drawn on in ‘freeing’ families and repositioning children. I will advance the notion that moral ambiguity rather than moral rescue is a key theme running through recent child policy.
