{"product_id":"the-government-of-childhood-discourse-power-and-subjectivity","title":"The Government of Childhood: Discourse, Power and Subjectivity","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Government of Childhood: Discourse, Power and Subjectivity, the reviewer finds a thoughtful, historically grounded study for readers interested in how childhood has been governed in the West. K. Smith works from Foucauldian governmentality to trace changes in the regulation and conceptualization of childhood across three key time periods, making this book most valuable for scholars, policy students and informed readers seeking a critical framework rather than a how-to manual. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear connection between theory and historical practice, which illuminates contemporary debates about child-rearing and social policy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoucauldian framework:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book applies governmentality theory to childhood, offering readers a coherent lens to interpret shifts in power and subjectivity across centuries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical sweep:\u003c\/strong\u003e It covers the early modern period to the present, allowing comparisons that highlight long-term changes in regulation and social expectations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary sources:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drawing on multiple disciplines, the text situates debates about children within broader political and social contexts for a richer analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on regulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study examines child-rearing practices and policy, helping readers understand how institutions shape childhood norms and conduct.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-period structure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Organizing the material by key time-periods clarifies how discourse and governance evolved rather than presenting a single, static argument.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best suited to graduate students, researchers and policy analysts working in childhood studies, social policy or political theory who want a rigorous theoretical account of how children have been governed. It will also interest historians who appreciate conceptual approaches that link ideas with institutional practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking practical parenting advice, an introductory textbook for young undergraduates, or a lightweight popular history should look elsewhere; the book assumes familiarity with Foucauldian concepts and a tolerance for dense analytical prose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a sustained \u003cstrong\u003egovernmentality\u003c\/strong\u003e analysis that links theory to concrete historical developments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a broad chronological range that helps readers see long-term patterns in governance of childhood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterdisciplinary approach enriches the discussion of policy and social norms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot targeted at casual readers; the theoretical style can be demanding for those unfamiliar with Foucauldian literature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Government of Childhood: Discourse, Power and Subjectivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eK. Smith\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudies in Childhood and Youth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGovernmentality, childhood studies, social policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe West\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage period\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly modern period to present\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a valuable, theory-driven study for academics and policy researchers interested in how power and discourse shape childhood. K. Smith combines \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical depth\u003c\/strong\u003e with conceptual clarity, making the book good value for readers who want a rigorous account linking past governance to current social policy debates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book use a theoretical framework?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is grounded in Foucauldian governmentality and uses that framework throughout to analyze governance of childhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat historical periods does it cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt examines three key time-periods from the early modern era through to the present to trace shifts in regulation and conceptualization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho will benefit most from reading it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGraduate students, scholars in childhood studies and policy researchers will find the book most useful for its theoretical and historical synthesis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"K. 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