Childhood in Russia

This book provides a view of Russian culture today through the study of the concept of childhood. Descriptions of childhood memories, ideal childhoods, educational goals, and real-life children's accounts uncover the values and worldview of a people struggling to bring meaning to their lives. The data was collected in kindergartens, orphanages and homes in St. Petersburg and Moscow in 1990-1992. The depiction of children's values and ideals with respect to childhood is based on observation of children in class and at play, and is supplemented by analysis of their stories, fantasies and drawings. The depiction of adult values and ideals with respect to childhood is based on personal memoirs, interviews and questionnaires. It is supplemented by an analysis of the image of childhood in Russian literature and folklore. This uniquely focused look at culture will appeal to social scientists and students of Russian culture or children's culture as well as to researchers in Russian education, socialization, and child welfare.