Children of the Welfare State

An original ethnography looking at childhood socialisation in schools and in families, under the Welfare State

This original ethnographic study looks at how children are ‘civilised’ within child institutions, such as schools, day care centres and families, under the auspices of the welfare state.
 
As part of a general discussion on civilising projects and the role of state institutions, the authors focus on Denmark, a country characterised by the extent of time children use in public institutions from an early age. They look at the extraordinary amount of attention and effort put into the process of upbringing by the state, as well as the widespread co-operation in this by parents across the social spectrum.
 
Taking as its point of departure the sociologist Norbert Elias’ concept of civilising, Children of the Welfare State explores the ideals of civilised conduct expressed through institutional upbringing and examine how children of different age, gender, ethnicity and social backgrounds experience and react to these norms and efforts. The analysis demonstrates that welfare state institutions, though characterised by a strong egalitarian ideal, create distinctions between social groups, teach children about moral hierarchies in society and prompts them to identify as more or less civilised citizens of the state.

Series Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. On Civilising: A Perspective on Childrearing, Conduct and Distinctions
2. Society’s Children: Institutionalisation and Changing Perceptions of Children and Upbringing
3. Civilising the Youngest: An Ambiguous Endeavour
4. The Not-Yet-Civilised: Negotiating the Kindergarten’s Civilising Project - Karen Fog Olwig
5. Social Children and Good Classes: Moulding Civilised Communities during the First Year of School
6. The Impossible Bilingual Boys: Civilising Efforts and Oppositional Forms in a Multi-Ethnic Class
7. The Decent Citizens: Lessons on Moral Superiority and the Immorality of Wealth in a Class of Privileged Youth
8. The Civilised Family Life: Childrearing in Affluent Families - Dil Bach
9. Civilising Institutions: Cultural Norms and Social Consequences
Notes
References
Index