Tools for Studying Childhood

Chapter two discusses the models, methods and value metrics used in this book. It presents the ecological model developed by sociologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, which places the child at the center of overlapping and intersecting microsystems (e.g., family, school, peer group) where children’s daily lives unfold. Encircling these microsystems are layers of exosystems (e.g., healthcare, justice systems and labor markets) where children may rarely go but that powerfully affect them. Surrounding and permeating the entire ecological diagram are macrosystemic forces, defined as the dominant ideas, values, prejudices, and powers of the surrounding society. The primary methods or frameworks for analysis deployed in the book are comparative legal method, sociology, ethnography and an environmentalist perspective, incorporating ideas like sustainability and the precautionary principle of avoiding harm. However, evaluating outcomes requires identifying a value system. Drawing on the work of Erik Erikson, the book proposes ecogenerism, a value system that treats the meeting of children’s essential needs and the welfare of succeeding generations as the paramount goals of society. The chapter closes with a description of how and why the two villages, Scanno, Italy and Cedar Key, Florida, were chosen to serve as petri dishes for comparative ethnographic study.