Childhood and biopolitics in the 21st century: a scenario yet to bedescribed

Abstract

This study aims to reflect on bio power in relation to children. Childhood is deemed to be an almost idyllic and sacrosanct period in the life cycle of the human subject, but one which comprises one of the most fertile scenarios for bio power. Here we give a brief overview of the theoretical considerations about bio power and its action in childhood, and a small review of two fundamental aspects in the 21st century: pharmacised children and technician children.

Childhood and biopolitics in the 21st century: a scenario yet to bedescribed

“…The universe of children has changed, the proposals and demands of the adult world regarding childhood, this are different to any other time in history. 1 Nowadays, to refer to childhood is to refer to one of the periods in the life cycle of the subject that is most fertile in representations; there is an intense subjective and social implication. Childhood has always been a focus of theoretical references, disciplines and practices, which makes it more complicated to tackle it, whether from an anthropological, sociological, political, medical or economic perspective.…”