Abstract

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.
'Easy to read and paints a vivid picture of children’s lives in institutions, providing a richly documented description of how pedagogues and teachers think about their task of socialising. This volume makes an important contribution to childhood studies and to the anthropology of education'
Anthropological Forum
'This detailed empirical study of how Danish children are brought up, or 'civilised' - whether within families or public institutions - is a major contribution to our understanding of Scandinavian welfare states, a powerful argument for the role of ethnography in comparative policy debates, and a must-read for anyone interested in childhood'
Richard Jenkins, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Sheffield
'Makes a valuable contribution to the anthropological study of childhood'
Peace News