Childhood Studies: Concepts, Approaches and Key Issues

Sociopolitical processes have radically transformed childhood is modern time. The diversity of experiences of children are shaped in varied fields of everyday life with diverse discourses and representations made of the childhood make it necessary to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to understand its dynamics. The present paper aims to provide an account of the approaches and traditions affecting childhood studies and also to clarify the concepts and methods employed by childhood scholars. It is argued that a deep reflexivity and a creative combination of theoretical and empirical findings provided on childhood in Iran could provide an ideal opportunity to understand childhood and the trends accompanying it. It is believed the major academic has faced institutional obstacles of childhood studies in Iran. The paper ends with clarifying on its potentials for policy making and the potentials it has for promoting quality of life and a better dialogue with children.