We're Friends, Right?: Inside Kids' Culture

by William A. Corsaro

Overview

Sociologists often study exotic cultures by immersing themselves in an environment until they become accepted as insiders. In this fascinating account by acclaimed researcher William A. Corsaro, a scientist "goes native" to study the secret world of children.

Here, for the first time, are the children themselves, heard through an expert who knows that the only way to truly understand them is by becoming a member of their community. That's just what Corsaro did when he traded in his adult perspective for a seat in the sandbox alongside groups of preschoolers.

Corsaro's journey of discovery is as fascinating as it is revealing. Living among and gaining the acceptance of children, he gradually comes to understand that a child's world is far more complex than anyone ever suspected. He documents a special culture, unique unto itself, in which children create their own social structures and exert their own influences.

At a time when many parents fear that they don't spend enough time with their children, and experts debate the best path to healthy development, seeing childhood through the eyes of a child offers parents and caregivers fresh and compelling insights. Corsaro calls upon all adults to appreciate, embrace, and savor their children's culture. He asks us to take a cue from those we hold so precious and understand that "we're all friends, right?"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780309087292
Publisher:	National Academies Press
Publication date:	10/19/2003
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

What People are Saying About This

Jens Qvortrup

Corsaro is legendary as a researcher of children and now he has done it again, and done it even better. With his admirable and masterly grip on small children’s worlds, he does brilliant justice to current claims about children’s capacities and competencies, showing that their interaction is anything but chaotic. The conflict, friendship, rejection, and attraction are all portrayed through his empathetic eyes as humanly normal, rather than childishly preliminary. We’re Friends, Right? is well-read and entertaining, and it promises to make the reader wiser. (professor of sociology, Norwegian University for Science and Technology, Trondheim )

Carolyn Pope Edwards

William Corsaro paints an ethnographic portrait of the group life of young children with uncommon depth, insight, and accuracy. He suggests new aspects of what is important about high quality programs that foster continuity and close relationships. This is a lively, illuminating, and often funny book that will nourish both professionals and parents. (Professor of Psychology and Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln)

Malcolm Gladwell

Lots of people write about children. William Corsaro had the patience to sit down in the sandbox and the playground and listen to them first. What he found out will open your eyes. We're Friends, Right? is a landmark. (author of "The Tipping Point")

Editorial Reviews

The world of the child is both a preparation for adulthood and a total society of its own, and these books map it from quite different perspectives. Sociologist Corsaro (The Sociology of Childhood) provides a comparative description of preschool education in the United States and Italy, using participant-observation methodology in economically diverse settings. His research, which began in the 1970s (Berkeley, CA) and concluded in 2001 (Modena, Italy), focuses on children's friendship processes. Topics include conflict, types of play, adult role rehearsal, and sharing and social participation. Interestingly, he concludes that the Italian preschool system, which is more fully integrated into the larger society, generated a richer and more complex peer culture. Ways to improve the U.S. version are also discussed. The Unwritten Rules of Friendship is a more direct advisory manual for parents concerned about their children "fitting in" with peers. Elman (director, Summit Ctr. for Learning, NJ) and Kennedy-Moore (Expressing Emotion: Myths, Realities, and Therapeutic Strategies) rely on research and clinical experience to formulate nine prototypes of children with friendship problems. These range from passive (e.g., "sensitive soul") to more aggressive (e.g., "intimidating" children, "short-fused" children, and born leaders) personalities. Chapters provide checklists for evaluation, social rules such children need to know, learning activities, and case studies. Corsaro's book contains unique and valuable policy insights into early education issues, though the research covers an unusually lengthy time span; recommended for academic and specialized early childhood education collections. Colorfully written and practical, Unwritten Rules offers many tips for anxious parents. Whereas similar books limit their perspective to the bully/victim paradigm, this one covers more diverse personality problems in a somewhat cursory but productive way. Recommended for public library parenting collections.-Antoinette Brinkman, Evansville, IN Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal