Evolving notions of childhood: an example of Kazakhstan

This research is aimed at understanding versatile and evolving perceptions of childhood in Kazakhstan after the independence of the country. It draws on a variety of primary data including in-depth interviews and surveys with young people and representatives of non- governmental organisations working with young people. This research employs two concepts of sociology of childhood, which address the socio-historical condition of childhood as a social experience. It explores the role children played in traditional Kazakh families in the mid-19th- beginning of the 20th century. It also addresses state policy concerning children in Kazakhstan after independence. This research presents an analysis of how young participants perceive categories of ‘child’ and ‘adult.’ The question is raised whether traditional thresholds of childhood like education, marriage, and financial independence still play a role in understanding the transition from childhood to adulthood. Further, it presents a dialogue between young participants of this research with their older contemporaries on the characteristics of the young generation born after the independence. Finally, it sheds more light on discrimination of young females in the family and society.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Cambridge

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Kulakhmetova, Anel

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fennell, Shailaja

• Childhood
• Central Asia
• Kazakhstan

Licence

• https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/90ca2741-cb30-4e5f-aba9-d3a57e9490d2/download
• https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier.doi

https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.20723

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/273670