Revised versions of papers originally presented at a national workshop held in 1999 in Sydney, Australia.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

-- Contents: Introduction / Jan Mason and Toby Fattore with Chris Sidoti -- Women's studies/childhood studies / Leena Alanen -- Theorising representation of and engagement with children / Toby Fattore and Nick Turnbull -- Virtual reality : children as constituents in social welfare and social policy constructions / Marie Wilkinson -- Childhood and sexuality / Kerry Robinson -- The social condition of UK childhoods / Berry Mayall -- Child protection policy and the construction of childhood / Jan Mason -- 'To know them is to love them', but instead fear and loathing / Natalie Bolzan -- The objectification of the child through 'physical discipline' and language / Bernadette J. Saunders and Chris Goddard -- Children's democratic rights : what we can learn from young workers organising themselves / Per Miljeteig -- Taking young people seriously means giving them serious things to do / Roger Holdsworth -- Negotiating competing versions of 'the child' : a preschool child's competence in parent-teacher talk at the preschool / Michelle J. Leiminer and Carolyn D. Baker -- Using computers at home and at school : children's views and perspectives / Toni Downes -- Preschool girls, conflict, and repair / Susan Danby -- Children's perceptions of school / Neriman Osman -- Organisational morality and children's engagement in early childhood programs / Donna Berthelsen -- Today I discovered / Helen Woodward -- The voice of the child in the family group conferencing model / Patricia Kiely.