Girls Boys And Junior Sexualities

Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualities is a book that delves into the often overlooked topic of young children's sexualities. Through group interviews and observation, the author explores how sexuality is intertwined with children's school cultures and gender identities. The book covers a range of sensitive issues, such as the influence of the primary school environment on children's understanding of sexuality, the impact of gender norms on friendships, and the pressure to conform to heterosexual identities. It also addresses topics like compulsory heterosexuality, the boyfriend/girlfriend culture, and sexual harassment. This book provides a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and students in childhood studies, sociology, and psychology, and is relevant for professionals and policymakers working with young children.

Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualities takes an insightful and in-depth look at the hidden worlds of young children's sexualities. Based upon extensive group interviews and observation, the author illustrates how sexuality is embedded in children's school-based cultures and gender identities. From examining children's own views and experiences, the book explores a range of topical and sensitive issues, including how: * the primary school is a key social arena for 'doing' sexuality * sexuality shapes children's friendships and peer relations * being a 'proper' girl or boy involves investing in a heterosexual identity * children use gendered or sexual insults to maintain gender and sexual norms. Grounded in children's real-life experiences, this book traces their struggles, anxieties, desires and pleasures as they make sense of their emerging sexualities. It also includes frank and open discussions of the pressures of compulsory heterosexuality, the boyfriend/girlfriend culture, misogyny and sexual harassment. Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualities is a timely and powerful resource for researchers, educationalists and students in childhood studies, sociology and psychology and will be of great interest to professionals and policy makers working with young children. Review: 'This publication will be a valuable resource for all with an interest in childhood studies.' - ChildRIGHT 'This is a fascinating study based on close work in real primary schools' - Gerald Haigh, TES