The Children in Child Health
252 pages, 6 x 9
10 B&W photographs,1 table
Paperback
Release Date:13 Mar 2020
ISBN:9781978809307
Hardcover
Release Date:13 Mar 2020
ISBN:9781978809314
The Children in Child Health
Negotiating Young Lives and Health in New Zealand
By Julie Spray
Rutgers University Press
Who are the children in child health policy? How do they live and see the world, and why should we know them? A journey into the lives of children coping in a world compromised by poverty and inequality, The Children in Child Health challenges the invisibility of children’s perspectives in health policy and argues that paying attention to what children do is critical for understanding the practical and policy implications of these experiences.
In the unique context of indigenous Māori and migrant Pacific children in postcolonial New Zealand, Julie Spray explores the intertwining issues of epidemic disease, malnutrition, stress, violence, self-harm, and death to address the problem of how scholars and policy-makers alike can recognize and respond to children as social actors in their health. The Children in Child Health innovatively combines perspectives from childhood studies, medical anthropology, and public health and policy together with evocative ethnography to show how a deep understanding of children’s worlds can change our approach to their care.
In the unique context of indigenous Māori and migrant Pacific children in postcolonial New Zealand, Julie Spray explores the intertwining issues of epidemic disease, malnutrition, stress, violence, self-harm, and death to address the problem of how scholars and policy-makers alike can recognize and respond to children as social actors in their health. The Children in Child Health innovatively combines perspectives from childhood studies, medical anthropology, and public health and policy together with evocative ethnography to show how a deep understanding of children’s worlds can change our approach to their care.
This is a beautifully written book that sheds light on children’s understandings of public health messages and practices. It is enlivened by the words of children, at times quirky and at other times heartrending, and by Dr Spray’s critical analysis which situates the children’s experiences within peer ecologies and the landscape of health and social inequities of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
At last, a book about child health that puts children at the center: as actors, as co-producers and most importantly as human beings. It should be compulsory reading for health professionals, social workers and anyone else anyone else who takes child health and wellbeing seriously.
Writing from an anthropological standpoint, this exceptionally well-written book, enriched by an array of beautiful illustrations of life at Tūrama School realized by the author, makes an important contribution to the scarce body of Aotearoa New Zealand school ethnographies.
The Children in Child Health is a needed, well-written book that offers thorough analyses and elaborate theoretical discussions, with a storyline almost as exciting as a detective novel. In the best of worlds, it would be read and reflected upon by decision-makers and professionals around the globe and would inform the New Zealand government’s (2019) current initiative: the program of action for child and youth well-being.
JULIE SPRAY is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis.
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: The World of Tūrama School
Chapter Three: Negotiating Generational Differences in Ethical Research
Chapter Four: Coproducing Health at the School Clinic
Chapter Five: Responsibilizing Care
Chapter Six: Embodying Inequality
Chapter Seven: Practicing Resilience
Chapter Eight: Talking with Death
Chapter Nine: Conclusion
Appendix: Drawing Child Ethnography
Acknowledgments
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Chapter Two: The World of Tūrama School
Chapter Three: Negotiating Generational Differences in Ethical Research
Chapter Four: Coproducing Health at the School Clinic
Chapter Five: Responsibilizing Care
Chapter Six: Embodying Inequality
Chapter Seven: Practicing Resilience
Chapter Eight: Talking with Death
Chapter Nine: Conclusion
Appendix: Drawing Child Ethnography
Acknowledgments
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
