A Will of Their Own

'Manfred Liebel has produced a controversial and thought-provoking book which prioritizes working children's own views on their work situation. Drawing on an impressive range of empirical examples, Liebel eloquently articulates children's attitudes to and experiences of work in a diverse range of settings. By adopting a global focus that links children from countries in the North and South, Liebel challenges us to re-examine common taken-for-granted assumptions about children's work and indeed the concept of childhood itself.' - Madeleine Leonard, Queen's University, Belfast'This exciting book marks a new departure for ways of thinking about children's work in contemporary societies. By recognizing children as contributors with valuable skills, valuing their perspectives and views, it enables children's work to be taken seriously. Manfred Liebel doesn't shy away from discussing the negative aspects of children's work -- rather he tries to move the debates forward to enable children's views about the meaning of their work to be incorporated into future research and policies to protect them at work.' - Virginia Morrow, Research Lecturer, Child Focused Research Centre, Brunel University, London, UK'Manfred Liebel's work exemplifies a rare and successful blend of passionate advocacy and creative thinking. A champion of the international working children's movement, he reaches a depth of analysis that is both interesting for academics and inspiring for activists, policy makers and the wider public. I am thrilled that the work of one of the major champions of NATS is now also available in English.' - Dr. O. Nieuwenhuys, Amsterdam Research School on Global Issues and Development Studies, University of Amsterdam'Manfred Liebel's new book about childhood and work is very exciting reading. It gives the reader an excellent overview of the plight of children who are working in several continents and it places this important issue in both its theoretical and political contexts. An authoritative opus, indeed! Liebel's views are often controversial and are bound to arouse critical debate. He does not have cause to fear these debates, however, given his enormous insight into the topic.' - Jens Qvortrup, Professor of Sociology, Norwegian University for Science and Technology, Trondheim