Description
Book SynopsisCurrent tensions between the U.S. and Russia are at their highest since the end of the Cold War. In such circumstances, it is imperative to go beyond headlines and rhetoric and take a closer look at the texture of Russian and American societies. Childhood and Education in the United States and Russia provides a rich illustration of the social processes within these countries. Through an extensive interdisciplinary literature review and quantitative analyses of both national and international datasets, this book sheds light on three main areas. Firstly, it explores the extent to which the institution of education intersects with the institution of childhood in Russia and the U.S. Secondly, the author provides an illuminating study of how childhood is stratified by the social background into which a child is born in Russia and the U.S. Finally, this book gives new insight into how we observe the strengthening of children's agency, both in theoretical developments in sociology of education and childhood, and educational practice and parental strategies. By discussing education and childhood from a sociological perspective with a focus on similarities and differences by time and place, this book will prove an invaluable resource for students and researchers in the fields of Sociology of Education, Sociology of Childhood and International Education.
Trade ReviewA timely tour de force of the historical and contemporary interplay among childhood, parenting, and mass education in two of the most polar societies in the world today. Weaving cultural insights with social science, long-held misconceptions are corrected about growing up in Soviet and post-Soviet societies, and surprising similarities are revealed about the powerful shaping of children and families by an intensifying relationship between schooling and society in both nations. -- Professor David P. Baker
In this insightful and provocative book, Katerina Bodovski explores the dynamic intersections of childhood, schooling, and parenting in the United States and Russia. She digs deep into the interdisciplinary literature and quantitative datasets to reveal unexpected similarities - and enduring differences - across time and space. -- Professor Iveta Silova, Arizona State University, USA
In a sociological perspective on childhood and education, Bodovski points out similarities and highlights differences by time and place, focusing on two seemingly different contexts of the US and Soviet Union/Russia. She investigates the extent to which the institution of education intersects with the institution of childhood, the extent to which childhood is stratified by the social background into which a child is born, and the extent to which children's agency strengthens both in theoretical developments in the sociology of education and childhood and in educational practice and parental strategies. -- Copyright 2019 * Portland, OR *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1. Establishing Theoretical Tools Chapter 1. Childhood and Education Intertwined Chapter 2. Children and Schooling through Sociological Lens Chapter 3. Understanding Stratification in Socialist and Post-Socialist Space Part 2. Comparing Childhoods Chapter 4. Change or Continuity: from the Soviet Reality to the New Russia Chapter 5. Brave New World? Staggering Inequality in America Chapter 6. Quantifying Childhood; Katerina Bodovski and Volha Chykina Chapter 7. Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going
