Whose Childhood? The Politics of Homework.

This article considers the questions of choice and control in childhood by considering the topical and contentious issue of homework. This is undeniably the source of great tension and endless conflict between children, adults and schools. But it also leads us to consider more fundamental questions about the extent to which children are able to take control of their own lives. The article explores these issues, considering current debates about children's rights, and contrasting these with a prescriptive approach taken by central government to the question of homework. The absence of any recognition of children's role as active participants in key areas of their lives, such as schooling, is questioned, and the article concludes that this does children a disservice. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.