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    Constructions of Childhood in Ireland in the Twentieth Century: A View from the Primary School Curriculum 1900–1999


    Walsh, Thomas (2005) Constructions of Childhood in Ireland in the Twentieth Century: A View from the Primary School Curriculum 1900–1999. Child Care in Practice, 11 (2). pp. 253-269. ISSN 1357-5279

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    Abstract

    Our concept of childhood is context-linked and time-specific. This paper traces the evolution of our conceptualisation of childhood in Ireland, focusing particularly on children aged four to six years of age, from 1900 to the present day. In the course of the past century, this perception has altered greatly in light of advancements in society’s understanding of children. There has been a gradual transformation in the position of children in society, and the rights and interests of children now receive unprecedented attention in the public domain. These changes have been influenced, and indeed catalysed, by dramatic social, economic, familial, democratic, religious, cultural and political changes throughout the twentieth century. While there are a number of sources outlining the position of children in society, this paper focuses on documentation from the education system, particularly the content of successive primary school curricula in Ireland. Analysis of documentation provides an insight into society’s view and value of children in Ireland in the twentieth century. This is traced in three distinct phases; the curriculum in the period preindependence (1900-1922); the programme adopted upon independence and implemented for close to 50 years (1922-1971); and the revisions that took place and were adopted in the curriculum (1971-1999).

    Item Type: Article
    Additional Information: The definitive version of this article is available at Thomas Walsh (2005) Constructions of Childhood in Ireland in the Twentieth Century: A View from the Primary School Curriculum 1900–1999, Child Care in Practice, 11:2, 253-269, DOI: 10.1080/13575270500053183
    Keywords: Childhood; Ireland; Twentieth Century; Primary School; Curriculum; 1900–1999;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > Education
    Item ID: 5519
    Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/13575270500053183
    Depositing User: Thomas Walsh
    Date Deposited: 22 Oct 2014 16:02
    Journal or Publication Title: Child Care in Practice
    Publisher: Taylor & Francis
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
      Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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