The Concept of Agency in Childhood Studies. A theoretical Review

Abstract

The aim of this article is to conduct a theoretical review of the concept of agency within the field of social sciences and sociology in general, and in childhood studies in particular. To this end, the theoretical foundations proposed by Anthony Giddens, which have been widely used in this field, are explored, but the approaches of Pierre Bourdieu and Amartya Sen are also observed. Then, an explanation is given of how agency has been understood in the Sociology of childhood, through the contributions of Berry Mayall and Leena Alanen. Finally, the article analyzes how the concept of agency could be applied to children in various social processes in which they are involved, such as socialization, the moral level and social participation. The article concludes that the concept of agency is still in the process of being consolidated at a theoretical level within the social sciences and childhood studies; however, the concept is useful and relevant to define and understand the social action that girls and boys carry out in today’s world.