{"product_id":"the-politics-of-childhoods-real-and-imagined-practical-critical","title":"The Politics of Childhoods Real and Imagined - Practical Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Politics of Childhoods Real and Imagined the bottom line is clear: this is a thoughtful, interdisciplinary introduction for researchers and students who want to apply \u003cstrong\u003ecritical realism\u003c\/strong\u003e to studies of children and young people. Priscilla Alderson widens the lens beyond personal childhood experience to global debates, and the single biggest reason to buy is the book's practical link between ontological theory and concrete topics such as climate change, intergenerational justice and social reform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDialectical critical realism applied:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains how critical realism can be used as a methodological stance when researching children and young people, making philosophical ideas practical for empirical work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary summaries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each chapter reviews key themes across disciplines and policy areas so readers gain wide contextual understanding quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves from local, personal childhood issues to wider debates in global politics that often overlook children, offering fresh angles for policy analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChild and adult perspectives:\u003c\/strong\u003e Incorporates both children's and adults' views and experiences to ground theoretical discussion in lived experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible introduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents complex ontological ideas in a way suitable for postgraduate students, practitioners and researchers new to critical realism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume is aimed primarily at academic readers: postgraduate students, early career researchers and policy analysts who need a practical introduction to applying \u003cstrong\u003ecritical realism\u003c\/strong\u003e in studies of childhood. It is also useful for practitioners in social policy or child-focused NGOs seeking conceptual tools to frame research and advocacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a textbook of developmental psychology or a how-to guide full of step-by-step research instruments should look elsewhere; this book is strongest as a conceptual bridge between philosophy and applied research rather than a manual of data collection techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear linkage of theory to practice helps readers apply \u003cstrong\u003eontological explorations\u003c\/strong\u003e to real research problems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBroad disciplinary sweep provides context across climate, neoliberalism and social justice debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBalanced use of children's and adults' perspectives grounds abstract ideas in empirical experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot a practical methods handbook, so those needing concrete data collection templates may find it limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Politics of Childhoods Real and Imagined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOntological Explorations (Routledge Critical Realism)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePriscilla Alderson\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApplication of dialectical critical realism to childhood and global politics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThemes covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClimate change, intergenerational justice, neoliberalism, social reform, utopias\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearchers, postgraduate students, policy analysts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePriscilla Alderson's second volume is a valuable, readable bridge between philosophical theory and applied research about children. It is a worthwhile purchase for academics and policy practitioners who want a conceptually rigorous yet practical introduction to \u003cstrong\u003ecritical realism\u003c\/strong\u003e in childhood studies; it represents good value when used as a companion to empirical research or coursework.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book explain critical realism for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It presents dialectical critical realism in accessible terms and shows concrete ways to apply it to research about children and young people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover practical research methods?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt focuses on theory and application rather than step-by-step methods, so readers should supplement it with methodological texts for fieldwork tools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book relevant to global policy debates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Several chapters widen the scope to global politics, discussing climate change, intergenerational justice and neoliberalism with attention to children.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Priscilla Alderson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48779427119323,"sku":"0415818206","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51E_IgSgROL._SL1491.jpg?v=1778949144","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-politics-of-childhoods-real-and-imagined-practical-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}