ERIC Number: EJ1042355
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0142-5692
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Non-Disabled Children's Ideas about Disability and Disabled People
Beckett, Angharad E.
British Journal of Sociology of Education, v35 n6 p856-875 2014
This article discusses findings from an Economic and Social Research Council-funded study exploring non-disabled children's ideas about disability. This represents the first in-depth sociological investigation of children's ideas about disabled people as members of wider society. Data are presented from focus group discussions with children aged 6-7 and 10-11. The article draws upon William H. Sewell Jr's theorizing of structure and agency and, in particular, employs his concept of "cultural schemas". The article explores non-disabled children's enactment of various cultural schemas relating to disability and argues that although they are capable of questioning, even transforming, schemas, they are primarily engaged in enacting a series of "hegemonic" schemas that maintain their privileged position as non-disabled people. The article concludes by urging schools and educationalists to do more to encourage non-disabled children to think differently and positively about disabled people.
Descriptors: Children, Childhood Attitudes, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Focus Groups, Negative Attitudes, Cultural Influences, Social Cognition, Qualitative Research, Elementary School Students, Social Bias, Stereotypes, Social Attitudes, Disabilities, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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