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'Towards a central theory of childhood sexuality: a relational approach’. In: Lamb, S. & Gilbert, J. (eds) The Cambridge Handbook of Child and Adolescent Sexual Development. (forthcoming)

Drawing on the figurational sociology of Norbert Elias, this chapter proposes a ‘central theory’ of childhood sexuality and argues that making sense of childhood sexuality in the 21st century in a way that empowers and enables as well as protects and safeguards children and young people requires a truly interdisciplinary approach. The chapter outlines the defining features of Elias’ figurational or relational sociology and considers its relevance to making sense of childhood sexuality. It argues that as Elias’ notion of figurations can be applied to the relationships and interdependencies of small groups of people as well as the interdependencies between the individual and the State (Quilley & Loyal, 2005) it can provide a framework for understanding the micro level of lived experiences of children and young people with regards to their sexual desires, expressions and identities as well as the macro level of State legislation and policy which are shaped by and, in turn, reinforce dominant constructions of childhood and sexuality.

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