It’s Not Fair

why it’s time for a grown-up conversation about how adults treat children
Eloise Rickman

‘Revolutionary yet compassionate, It’s Not Fair offers a persuasive and paradigm-shifting argument for children’s equality. Rickman’s deep research, forensic examination, and passionate yet practical tone make this an engaging and hopeful book that simultaneously challenges our deeply held views and offers radical new ideas for children’s inclusion in the societies they are soon to inherit. A must-read for parents, educators, activists, and anyone who wishes their voice had been heard as a child.’

Rebecca Schiller, author of Earthed

‘This is a book steeped in compassion and humanity. It’s Not Fair offers hope that a kinder, fairer world is possible. I devoured it.’

Caro Giles, author of Twelve Moons: a year under a shared sky

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‘Brilliant and empowering. Through a detailed and perceptive critique of the systems, policies, and prejudices which make life harder for children, Eloise Rickman highlights how routinely they are discriminated against. It’s Not Fair is a call to arms for adults everywhere to deeply listen to, act upon, and amplify the wisdom of children.’

Emma Svanberg, author of Parenting for Humans

‘Groundbreaking ... It’s Not Fair is an important and illuminating book about the injustices faced by children from adults, and how we can do better. It should be read by everyone who cares about creating a fairer world, whether or not they have children in their lives.’

Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research, and author of We Are Family

‘It’s Not Fair has the power to fundamentally shift our thinking about children. It’s not a parenting book, but it is one of the most important books I have read as a parent.’

Alice Ellerby, JUNO Magazine

‘This wise and powerful book is a clarion call for children’s liberation from adultism that is beautifully written, deeply researched, and richly grounded in children’s experiences.’

Professor John Wall, Director of the Childism Institute and Co-Director of the Children’s Voting Colloquium at Rutgers University in Camden

‘Enlightening and transformative … In today’s rapidly changing world, where children face unprecedented challenges, Eloise Rickman emerges as a voice for change. Her book is an indispensable guide for navigating the complexities of caring for children in the 21st century.’

Leah Boden, author of Modern Miss Mason

‘There’s plenty to learn about and be inspired by in this impressive book. Read it, absorb it, share it, and then get busy making change!’

carla joy bergman, editor of Trust Kids and co-author of Joyful Militancy

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

‘This timely book has something to offer all parents — seasoned homeschoolers, those thrust into homeschooling unexpectedly, and those who wish to improve their relationships with children educated at school. Insightful, empowering, and accessible, Extraordinary Parenting is a well-informed practical guide to educating children at home that, crucially, helps parents understand their children’s challenging behaviour and how to make it better.’

Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research, and author of We Are Family: what really matters for parents and children

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

‘An inspiring, creative and helpful book for parents. It’s reminded me that there are simple tweaks we can make to our daily family lives to boost energy and morale.’

Annie Ridout, author of The Freelance Mum

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

‘This book feels like a big hug just when we need it. Eloise’s words offer reassurance, calm, and lots of practical suggestions.’

Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Toddler

‘Thought-provoking, thorough, and passionately argued. Be prepared to have your mind changed — this may well be the most important book you read all year.’

Penny Wincer, author of Tender

Why do some adults think it’s fine to hit children? Why does the school system fail so many pupils? And when their future is on the line, why can’t children vote?

How we treat children isn’t fair. Despite the lip service paid to their rights, children are still discriminated against in every aspect of their lives: rising levels of child poverty, underfunded and outdated education and childcare systems, controlling parenting practices, and political systems that exclude their voices on issues which will affect them most — not least the climate crisis.

Children are not passive victims of oppression, but their resistance and struggle for equality has been largely ignored by the wider social justice movement — until now. In this groundbreaking manifesto, Eloise Rickman argues that it’s time to stop viewing children as less than adults and start fighting for their rights to be taken seriously.

Radical, compassionate, and profoundly hopeful, this powerful new book signals the start of a long-overdue conversation about how we treat children. Featuring practical solutions and the voices of children and adults who are working towards them, It’s Not Fair is a call to embrace children’s liberation and the possibility of a better, fairer world.

Rebecca Schiller, author of Earthed

‘This is a book steeped in compassion and humanity. It’s Not Fair offers hope that a kinder, fairer world is possible. I devoured it.’

Caro Giles, author of Twelve Moons: a year under a shared sky

View all reviews

Emma Svanberg, author of Parenting for Humans

Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research, and author of We Are Family

‘It’s Not Fair has the power to fundamentally shift our thinking about children. It’s not a parenting book, but it is one of the most important books I have read as a parent.’

Alice Ellerby, JUNO Magazine

‘This wise and powerful book is a clarion call for children’s liberation from adultism that is beautifully written, deeply researched, and richly grounded in children’s experiences.’

Professor John Wall, Director of the Childism Institute and Co-Director of the Children’s Voting Colloquium at Rutgers University in Camden

Leah Boden, author of Modern Miss Mason

‘There’s plenty to learn about and be inspired by in this impressive book. Read it, absorb it, share it, and then get busy making change!’

carla joy bergman, editor of Trust Kids and co-author of Joyful Militancy

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research, and author of We Are Family: what really matters for parents and children

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

‘An inspiring, creative and helpful book for parents. It’s reminded me that there are simple tweaks we can make to our daily family lives to boost energy and morale.’

Annie Ridout, author of The Freelance Mum

Praise for Extraordinary Parenting:

‘This book feels like a big hug just when we need it. Eloise’s words offer reassurance, calm, and lots of practical suggestions.’

Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Toddler

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 198mm × 129mm

Extent:384pp

ISBN (13):9781911617174

RRP:$32.99

Pub date:3 Sep 2024

Rights Held: World English

High-res cover:Download Image

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AUTHOR

Eloise Rickman

Eloise Rickman is a writer and parent educator. Her work focuses on challenging adultism (the discrimination children face), championing rights-based parenting and alternative education, and helping parents and educators rethink how they see and treat children. She is studying for an MA in Children’s Rights at UCL’s Institute of Education and has a degree in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University, where she first became interested in how family practices shape society. Her first book, Extraordinary Parenting, was published in 2020. She lives in London with her husband and daughter.