The Ways of Perceiving Children and Childhood. From Asociality Towards Socialization

Abstract

Performing the analyses of selected ways of perceiving children and childhood is deemed to be important and prosocial within the framework of social sciences. In the process of the changing understanding of the terms “child” and “childhood” as well as promoting the treatment of children as full-fledged members of the community, the process of informing, convincing, and shaping social behaviours is of considerable importance. The results of the analyses of the outcome of research involving children (childhood studies) contribute to inducing changes, e.g. when it comes to the treatment of children or modifying/changing the process of their education and upbringing; notably, establishing who a child is as well as highlighting the distinct features of childhood, and how these features influence the shaping of public opinion. It may contribute to a gradual overcoming of the stereotypes in the perception of children and childhood. Children are equal members of society, and their views on the present are worth knowing.