Liberalism, Childhood and Justice: Ethical Issues in Upbringing

An innovative critical exploration of ethical issues in children’s upbringing through the lens of political philosophy, calling for a radical new understanding of what constitutes wellbeing, the duties of parents and the collective obligations of state and society in guaranteeing children flourishing lives.

Combining political philosophy with sociological perspectives, Fowler provides a critical exploration of what constitutes children’s wellbeing, the duties of parents to promote children’s wellbeing and the collective obligations of the state and wider society to ensure that children’s interests are both promoted and protected. Issuing a challenge to dominant liberal and neoliberal discourses that privilege an individualistic model of parenting, it provides invaluable insights into the ways that we assess family structures and family policy regimes in terms of their effect on child welfare. This is an original, refreshing account of family justice that examines the rights and duties of children, prospective parents and wider society, and argues for a radical change in the way that we understand parenting - combining philosophy and sociology.