There is a trend towards taking children seriously as distinct subjects of moral and political theory who have complex and evolving interests. Children are developing beings whose moral status gradually changes. This view is now generally accepted but its implications are variously understood. It is no longer possible to assume a simple harmony between the interests of children and those charged with the responsibility of rearing them. Indeed, the challenge is to deepen our understanding of children's interest and to explore how the conceptualization of these interests affects the character of ... More

There is a trend towards taking children seriously as distinct subjects of moral and political theory who have complex and evolving interests. Children are developing beings whose moral status gradually changes. This view is now generally accepted but its implications are variously understood. It is no longer possible to assume a simple harmony between the interests of children and those charged with the responsibility of rearing them. Indeed, the challenge is to deepen our understanding of children's interest and to explore how the conceptualization of these interests affects the character of the moral claims they have. This book addresses various dimensions of this challenge. Although the precise emphasis in each chapter varies, the overall collection is animated by a concern with four principal interrelated but distinguishable themes. These are rights, autonomy, education, and distributive justice.