The Cultural Significance of the Child Star (Paperback)

The child star is an iconic figure in Western society representing a growing cultural trend which idolises, castigates and fetishises the image of the perfect, innocent and beautiful child. In this book, Jane O'Connor explores the paradoxical status of the child star who is both adored and reviled in contemporary society. Drawing on current debates about the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood and fears about children 'growing up too soon', she identifies hostile media attention around child stars as indicative of broader social concerns about the 'correct' role and place of children in relation to normative ideals of childhood. Through reference to extensive empirical examples of the way child stars such as Shirley Temple, Macaulay Culkin, Charlotte Church and Jackie Coogan have been constructed in the media, this book illustrates both the powerlessness and the power held by this tiny band of children, and demonstrates their significance as representatives of the public face of childhood throughout the twentieth century and beyond.

General

Imprint:	Routledge
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Routledge Advances in Sociology
Release date:	February 2012
First published:	2008
Authors:	Jane Catherine O'connor
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 8mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	176
ISBN-13:	978-0-415-54267-8
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > Performing arts > General Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social groups & communities > Age groups > Children Promotions
LSN:	0-415-54267-7
Barcode:	9780415542678

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