We're Friends, Right?: Inside Kids' Culture

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Overview

Sociologists often study exotic cultures by immersing themselves in an environment until they become accepted as insiders. In this fascinating account by acclaimed researcher William A. Corsaro, a scientist "goes native" to study the secret world of children.

Here, for the first time, are the children themselves, heard through an expert who knows that the only way to truly understand them is by becoming a member of their community. That's just what Corsaro did when he traded in ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Sociologists often study exotic cultures by immersing themselves in an environment until they become accepted as insiders. In this fascinating account by acclaimed researcher William A. Corsaro, a scientist "goes native" to study the secret world of children.

Here, for the first time, are the children themselves, heard through an expert who knows that the only way to truly understand them is by becoming a member of their community. That's just what Corsaro did when he traded in his adult perspective for a seat in the sandbox alongside groups of preschoolers.

Corsaro's journey of discovery is as fascinating as it is revealing. Living among and gaining the acceptance of children, he gradually comes to understand that a child's world is far more complex than anyone ever suspected. He documents a special culture, unique unto itself, in which children create their own social structures and exert their own influences.

At a time when many parents fear that they don't spend enough time with their children, and experts debate the best path to healthy development, seeing childhood through the eyes of a child offers parents and caregivers fresh and compelling insights. Corsaro calls upon all adults to appreciate, embrace, and savor their children's culture. He asks us to take a cue from those we hold so precious and understand that "we're all friends, right?"

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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
The world of the child is both a preparation for adulthood and a total society of its own, and these books map it from quite different perspectives. Sociologist Corsaro (The Sociology of Childhood) provides a comparative description of preschool education in the United States and Italy, using participant-observation methodology in economically diverse settings. His research, which began in the 1970s (Berkeley, CA) and concluded in 2001 (Modena, Italy), focuses on children's friendship processes. Topics include conflict, types of play, adult role rehearsal, and sharing and social participation. Interestingly, he concludes that the Italian preschool system, which is more fully integrated into the larger society, generated a richer and more complex peer culture. Ways to improve the U.S. version are also discussed. The Unwritten Rules of Friendship is a more direct advisory manual for parents concerned about their children "fitting in" with peers. Elman (director, Summit Ctr. for Learning, NJ) and Kennedy-Moore (Expressing Emotion: Myths, Realities, and Therapeutic Strategies) rely on research and clinical experience to formulate nine prototypes of children with friendship problems. These range from passive (e.g., "sensitive soul") to more aggressive (e.g., "intimidating" children, "short-fused" children, and born leaders) personalities. Chapters provide checklists for evaluation, social rules such children need to know, learning activities, and case studies. Corsaro's book contains unique and valuable policy insights into early education issues, though the research covers an unusually lengthy time span; recommended for academic and specialized early childhood education collections. Colorfully written and practical, Unwritten Rules offers many tips for anxious parents. Whereas similar books limit their perspective to the bully/victim paradigm, this one covers more diverse personality problems in a somewhat cursory but productive way. Recommended for public library parenting collections.-Antoinette Brinkman, Evansville, IN Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780309087292
  • Publisher: National Academies Press
  • Publication date: 12/31/2003
  • Pages: 264
  • Product dimensions: 5.90 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Importance and Autonomy of Kids' Culture 1
1 "Yeah You're Big Bill": Entering Kids' Culture 7
2 "We're Friends, Right?": Sharing and Social Participation in Kids' Culture 36
3 "You Wanna Know What Happened Because You're My Best Friend": Making and Being Friends in Kids' Culture 66
4 "You Can't Talk if You're Dead": Fantasy and Pretend Play 90
5 "When I Grow Up and You Grow Up, We'll Be the Bosses": Role-Play in Kids' Culture 111
6 "Arriva la Banca": Kids' Secondary Adjustments to Adult Rules 138
7 "You Can't Come to My Birthday Party": Conflict in Kids' Culture 161
8 "Appreciating Childhood": Suggestions for Supporting and Sharing in Kids' Culture 195
Notes 219
Further Reading 235
Index 237
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