A Call For Papers Society for the History of Children and Youth XI Biennial International Conference “Challenges, Interruptions and Opportunities”
A Call For Papers
Society for the History of Children and Youth XI Biennial International Conference
“Challenges, Interruptions and Opportunities”
National University of Ireland Galway
23-26 June 2021
Proposal Submission Deadline: 31 October 2020
Few people pass through childhood without facing some form of challenge or interruption, whether caused by family breakdown, race or gender discrimination, or global conflict and health crises. Yet children and youth not only shoulder the disruption imposed on them by the adult world, but, frequently, they are the ones who are challenging the power structures. Throughout history, children and youth have found themselves at the intersection of conflict, disjuncture, and societal change – challenges that have directly impacted their experience of childhood, but that have also created opportunities for change. In the past year alone, young people have both made the choice to walk out of their classrooms to protest against the lack of action on climate change and been forced out of school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Society for the History of Children and Youth invites proposals for panels, roundtables and papers that explore how children and youth have encountered challenges, interruptions, and opportunities in different historical eras. In this regard, our definitions of children and youth are flexible, reflecting multiple constructions through time. Panels that address diverse chronological or geographical settings are particularly welcome. Speakers will be invited to participate either online or in-person, and we fully understand given the current conditions due to Covid-19 that this may change for individuals throughout the year. We therefore encourage panels, workshops and roundtables that promote innovative presentation styles and participation. Themes We invite panel contributions as well as individual papers on topics related to challenges, interruptions and opportunities. Panels and papers might reflect on themes such as:
Agency in childhood
Education interrupted
The experience of conflict
Resistance and resilience
Colonialism and post-colonialism
Folklore and language questions
Gender discrimination
Youth protest
Familial breakdown
Work and recreation
Children’s health and wellbeing
Effects of economic disruption on children/childhood
Any other relevant themes related to the history of childhood and youth more broadly.