Keeping Children Healthy

Keeping Children Healthy examines how mothers care for their young children’s health in Britain, focusing on the relationship between social class and parenting practices. Drawing on empirical research, the book explores what mothers believe is important, what they actually do to maintain their children’s health, and the social and material factors that shape their actions.

Key Features:

• Focus on Mothers’ Perspectives: Highlights mothers’ views and practices regarding child health, showing their commitment and responsibility despite social constraints.
• Social and Material Context: Considers how income, housing, neighborhood, social networks, and access to quality services influence mothers’ child care practices.
• Health Disparities: Explores class differences in child health and challenges assumptions about the role of mothers’ attitudes in these disparities.
• Professional Engagement: Offers insights for doctors, social workers, health visitors, teachers, and policymakers on supporting families and improving child health outcomes.
• Practical and Policy Implications: Provides evidence that can guide health and day care services, policy decisions, and interventions aimed at reducing inequalities in children’s health.