Challenges of childrens participation A Case Study of active citizenship in Cadle Primary School
Pricilla Alderson points out that the recent studies
into childhood have demonstrated `that children are much more competent than was formerly
thought possible`40. Children as young as nine for example have been regarded of having a
degree of capability in comprehending political issues and making political decisions 41.
Alderson postulates that young children have a strong interest towards societal issues like
environment and poverty if these matters are discussed in the classroom42. She concedes that
children have the competence of understanding `general and partly-abstract issues, such as
the politics of racism, inequality and oppression` if these things are discussed with them 43.
Besides, children as young as five, have a very clear understanding of `self and others,
language, physics, technology, morality and arts`44.
Furthermore, in contrast to Laura Purdy`s evaluation of children being morally
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