Children and Agency in the Twenty-First Century

This chapter introduces the book’s main theme of children’s agency in education. It opens with a depiction of childhood in the twenty-first century, including through examples of poverty and educational equality globally. The chapter presents three compelling arguments for why agency matters in education: agency’s basis in moral rights; agency’s role in children’s engagement and motivation; and agency’s potential for impact on educational outcomes. Drawing on research and policy frameworks, including UNICEF reports and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the chapter demonstrates how children’s agency remains limited in educational decision-making despite growing recognition of its importance. This introduction sets the framework for the book’s examination of children’s agency within the national curriculum in England, establishing the context for what is the first in-depth qualitative study of this crucial aspect of primary education.