Parenting and the State in Britain and Europe, c. 1870-1950

"It is exciting to read such a path-breaking collection, taking in a crucial period of modern European history in which subjects became citizens. The authors assess the ways in which parents negotiated with health experts, welfare workers, courts, teachers and others, who were increasingly focused on the future potential and promise of children, and examine the ways in which co-operation began to edge out conflict in parents' dealings with the state. Full of eye-catching material, the essays range widely across modern Europe and bring a level of analysis to bear which sets a new bench-mark." (Nicholas Stargardt, Professor of Modern European History, Magdalen College, Oxford) "The late nineteenth century launched an unprecedented interest in children and childhood on the part of nation states in Europe. The impressive contributions to this collection focus on the interaction between governments and parents that this provoked. Based on original research and pursued in a variety of political contexts, the essays will be useful to scholars in a range of disciplines, including history, sociology and geography." (Colin Heywood, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History, University of Nottingham)

This innovative collection draws on original research to explore the dynamic interactions between parents, governments and their representatives across a range of European contexts; Parents were not passive recipients of government direction: rituals and cultures of parenting could both affirm and undermine state politics.

This innovative collection draws on original research to explore the dynamic interactions between parents, governments and their representatives across a range of European contexts; from democratic Britain and Finland, to Stalinist Russia and Fascist Italy. The authors pay close attention to the various relationships and dynamics between parents and the state, showing that the different parties were defined not solely by coercion or manipulation, but also by collaboration and negotiation. Parents were not passive recipients of government direction: rituals and cultures of parenting could both affirm and undermine state politics. Readers will find this collection crucial to understanding family life and the role of the state during a period when both underwent significant change.