Childcare, choice and class practices : middle-class parents and their children / Carol Vincent and Stephen J. Ball.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vincent, Carol, 1963-

Contributor:

Ball, Stephen J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Day care centers--England--London.

Day care centers.

Work and family--England--London.

Work and family.

Middle class families--England--London.

Middle class families.

Sex role--England--London.

Sex role.

Child care services--Government policy--Great Britain.

Child care services.

Child care services--Government policy.

Great Britain.

England--London.

Physical Description:

viii, 189 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2006.

Summary:

The contentious issue of childcare has enjoyed a recent and meteoric rise up the social policy agenda. The topic is frequently in the media spotlight, and continues to spark heated debate in the UK and around the world. Childcare, Choice and Class Practices is based on the findings of a substantive study which investigated the childcare markets and the choices made by middle-class parents in two London localities. In this account of the research the authors explore the complexities of the relationship between locality, childcare choice and childrearing. They highlight processes of social reproduction, the continuation of gendered responsibilities and conceptions of 'good' parenting.

This important study will be of great interest to anyone concerned with understanding the development of the childcare market and the fears and aspirations of middle-class parents.

It offers invaluable insights into a complex subject, and will be essential reading for all those working in or studying early years provision and policy, and students of sociology, class, gender and work.

Contents:

2 Contextualizing the study 6

3 Childcare policy: international, national and local perspectives 27

4 Middle-class families 50

5 Inside the 'black box' of the family: gender relations and childcare 69

6 Power, control and communication: the hidden logics of childcare relations? 111

7 'Making up' the middle-class child 137

8 Conclusion: a market in love? 161.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [169]-183) and index.

ISBN:

0415362164

0415362172

OCLC:

62326920

Publisher Number:

9780415362160 (hbk.)

9780415362177 (pbk.)