Description
Book SynopsisThis book explores the problems involved in touching' children in an educational environment. It uses real-life examples taken from groundbreaking research into the mentality of today's risk culture, and highlights a maddening state of affairs in which ordinary well-meaning professionals feel they cannot offer even very young children basic levels of comforting or affection.
This fascinating and long-overdue book examines the no-touch' pandemic in early years settings, by use of extensive interviews with practitioners, parents and pupils, which:
- outline the confusion experienced by many in knowing if, when and how to touch and the more recent backlash by those who attempted to buck the trend
- suggest why this issue is important now (for example, at a time when men are being encouraged to work in early years settings)
- consider explanations such as panic, risk, society and fear.
This book also examines
Trade Review
"This very timely and worthwhile book deals with the 'moral panic' about professional adults and touch in school education... (it) explores one aspect that will make a difference and should be read by both professionals and policymakers. I applaud it. At around £20 it is worth every penny." -- ESCalate
"This is an extremely well-written book. The prologue clearly lays out the chapters and different contributors; the structure is effective with the different case studies demonstrating the increasing absurdity and inapplicability of the existing implicit ‘no touching’ policy in existence in many schools/systems in England (and elsewhere). The comprehensive endnotes and references provided sufficient assistance in helping the reader gain an understanding of the content...The quotes that were included from some of the interview participants and from other references were, I thought, carefully selected and most appropriate."--Ruth Rees, Education Review (July 2009)
Table of Contents1. Problematics of Touching 2. Relationships: Ethics Committees and Research… Catherine Scott 3. The Criminal Record Bureau: Policing Access to Children 4. Guidelines and Dangerous Bodies: The Half-Closed Door 5. Saving Touch: Private Parts and Public Wholes 6. Case Study: Early Years’ Settings 7. Case Study: Primary and Junior Schools ... Helen Lawson 8. Case Study: Secondary Schools ... Helen Bowen 9. Case Study: Considering Disability ... John Powell 10. Case Study: Summerhill School - An Exception to the Rule 11. Bonfire of the Insanities
