The dominant images of childhood held by a culture or subculture areimportant.
These images have a considerable impact on the lifeopportunities of children.
While there are frequent public debates about what is in the best interest of children,
it is often in the absence of an understanding that childhood is a loose concept.
Children have more features in common with adults than they have differences.
Yet the differences are magnified and analysed.
This is partly to protect children from exploitative practices such as participating in low or unpaid labour.
It is also to ensure that children’s characteristics are taken into consideration when they may represent a significant stakeholder group (e.g. educational and medical services).
Magnification of the differences can also lead to a distortion of differences, such that children’s opportunities are stymied
(see Helen Little’s chapter, this volume).
The mantra of “Let children be children” often indicates an unanalysed view of childhood,
and is frequently used to silence those who challenge accepted “truths” about children and childhood. Also,
by negating many of the characteristics children share with adults, this unanalysed image can be used to prevent
children from sampling or engaging in adult behaviours that may be important to them (see Kirrilly Thompson’s chapter, this volume).