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Childhood and societal macrostructures: The development of the new social studies of childhood seems to be attracting scholars from mainly disciplines preferring ethnographic methodologies. While welcoming this strand, the paper argues that it is indispensable to employ structural approaches as well. The target of such studies is childhood rather than the child; it is however important to understand the consequences for all children of structural developments. The thesis is thus sought substantiated that childhood develops as a structural form more or less irrespective of children themselves. In the end, though, a dialogue between the two approaches must be established. -- Title page.