In this chapter Hart argues that the emphasis on children’s decision making with adults and consultation with adults in formal settings is a much too narrow view of children’s social participation for citizenship. Instead, a new vision of children’s social participation in the settings of their daily lives, from peer and family interactions and decision-making to festivals and organized sports. He reviews research and current initiatives on this range of important settings relevant to children’s daily lives. The article concludes with Hart’s thoughts on future directions for supporting children’s citizenship by emphasizing their participation in both formal governance and non-formal social life of their communities.
Click here to download [PDF]
Title: Charting Change in the Participatory Settings of Childhood
Author(s): Roger Hart
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: In Thomas, N. and Percy-Smith, B. (Eds) Children, Politics and Communication. London: Policy Press