Representations of Children and Success in Asia: Dream Chasers

This edited volume explores how success is conceptualized and represented in texts for young people in Asia, examining how it relates to education, family, gender, race, class, community, and the nation. It highlights the similarities and differences in how success is defined for children and young adults in different countries, arguing that success is an important keyword in the literary and cultural study of childhood in Asia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited volume delves into the multifaceted conceptualization and representation of success in texts for young people across Asia. The collection's essays explore the intricate connections between success for children and various factors such as education, family, gender, race, class, community, and the nation. By addressing these critical questions, the book seeks to unravel the ways in which success is portrayed in literature, cinema, and popular media, while also examining the historical, political, and cultural contexts that shape these representations. Furthermore, it investigates the influence of childhood agency on shaping ideas about success in Asia, highlighting the similarities and differences in how success is defined for children and young adults in countries like Japan, South Korea, the People's Republic of China, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India.

Success, as a central theme in the literary and cultural study of childhood in Asia, emerges as a powerful keyword that uncovers profound insights into the lives and experiences of young individuals. Through the lens of this edited volume, readers gain a deeper understanding of how success is conceptualized, portrayed, and negotiated within the diverse contexts of Asia.

In the opening chapter, the editors provide a comprehensive overview of the volume, highlighting its significance in understanding the complexities of success in Asia. They argue that success is not a fixed or universal concept but rather a multifaceted and contextualized phenomenon that is shaped by a range of social, economic, and cultural factors. The chapter also introduces the key themes and questions that will be explored throughout the book, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need to consider the voices and perspectives of children and young adults themselves.

The subsequent chapters delve into the various representations of success in texts for young people across Asia. Each essay offers a unique perspective on the topic, drawing from a range of literary, cultural, and social studies sources. The authors explore how success is portrayed in literature, cinema, and popular media, examining the ways in which these images are grounded in the historical, political, and cultural contexts in which they are produced and consumed. They also examine the impact of these representations on children and young adults, exploring how they shape their aspirations, expectations, and self-perceptions.

One of the key themes that emerge from the essays is the relationship between success and education. The authors argue that education plays a crucial role in shaping children's opportunities and outcomes, and that success is often equated with academic achievement and professional success. However, they also highlight the limitations of this narrow definition of success, emphasizing the importance of holistic education that encompasses not only academic knowledge but also emotional, social, and cultural development.

Another important theme is the role of family in shaping success. The authors explore how family dynamics, values, and expectations influence children's perceptions of success and their ability to achieve it. They also examine the ways in which family relationships can be both supportive and challenging, and how children can navigate these dynamics to achieve their goals.

Gender is another critical factor that shapes success in Asia. The essays explore how gender norms, stereotypes, and expectations influence children's opportunities and outcomes, and how they can challenge or reinforce these norms. The authors also examine the ways in which gender can be a source of empowerment and resilience for young individuals, and how they can negotiate gender-based barriers to achieve their aspirations.

Race and class also play significant roles in shaping success in Asia. The authors explore how racial and social hierarch.

Highlighting the similarities and differences in how success is defined for children and young adults in Japan, South Korea, the People's Republic of China, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, this volume argues that success is an important keyword in the literary and cultural study of childhood in Asia.

In conclusion, this edited volume offers a valuable contribution to the field of childhood studies in Asia. By exploring the multifaceted conceptualization and representation of success in texts for young people across Asia, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shape children's lives and experiences. Through interdisciplinary approaches and the inclusion of the voices and perspectives of children and young adults themselves, the volume sheds light on the ways in which success is negotiated, contested, and transformed within the diverse contexts of Asia. As such, it is an essential resource for scholars, educators, and policymakers interested in understanding the complexities of childhood and youth in the region.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032293806