The Impact of Childhood Toys and Play on Adult Skills, Interests, and Life Opportunities: An Autoethnographic Analysis

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Impact of Childhood Toys and Play on Adult Skills, Interests, and Life Opportunities: An Autoethnographic Analysis
Language: English
Authors: James R. Pennell
Source: American Journal of Play. 2024 16(2-3):177-196.
Availability: The Strong. One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607. Tel: 585-263-2700; e-mail: info@thestrong.org; Web site: https://www.museumofplay.org/journalofplay/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Play, Adults, Skills, Interests, Quality of Life, Opportunities, Toys, Childhood Interests, Child Development, Parenting Styles, Decision Making, Parent Child Relationship, Self Concept, Social Environment, Attitudes, Logical Thinking, Daily Living Skills, Parent Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Indiana (Indianapolis)
ISSN: 1938-0399
1938-0402
Abstract: The author uses a dialogical autoethnographic approach informed by symbolic interactionist theory to examine the role of toys, play, and parenting decisions on his childhood development and adult opportunities and interests. He examines how self, others, social contexts, and objects, particularly toys and adult analogues for those toys, came together to produce a range of life skills and interests central to his adult life. He also interviewed his mother, following Heewan Chang's recommendation not simply to rely on an individual's recall. His analysis identified three sets of skills and interests central to his identity: reading and creative writing; design, construction, and repair; and musical performance and composition. He considers these within the context of the 1950s and 1960s, including the expansion of youth culture, his suburban neighborhood, and his childhood friendships. He also reviews the potential of an autoethnographic approach to social science research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1452688
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The author uses a dialogical autoethnographic approach informed by symbolic interactionist theory to examine the role of toys, play, and parenting decisions on his childhood development and adult opportunities and interests. He examines how self, others, social contexts, and objects, particularly toys and adult analogues for those toys, came together to produce a range of life skills and interests central to his adult life. He also interviewed his mother, following Heewan Chang's recommendation not simply to rely on an individual's recall. His analysis identified three sets of skills and interests central to his identity: reading and creative writing; design, construction, and repair; and musical performance and composition. He considers these within the context of the 1950s and 1960s, including the expansion of youth culture, his suburban neighborhood, and his childhood friendships. He also reviews the potential of an autoethnographic approach to social science research.
ISSN:1938-0399
1938-0402