"At Risk" or "At Promise"? From Deficit Constructions of the "Other Childhood" to Possibilities for Authentic Alliances with Children and Families

Abstract

This article is taken from the Rethinking Childhood Series book:  Diaz-Soto, L. (Ed.), (2000). The Politics of Early Childhood Education .  NY:  Peter Lang. In the specific text reprinted here Swadener challenges the deficit label “at risk” and argues that we should adopt a more diverse construction of children and families.  The reader is referred to the complete book for further discussions from reconceptualist scholars such as Marianne Bloch, Henry Giroux, Shirley Stienburg and Joe Kincheloe on topics ranging from ECE’s over-reliance on child development to Disney’s influence on modern day children.