Table 2 Typology of children summarized from source

The innocent child The child is born pure and innocent (Froebel)

This concept denies the child agency but asks for the care and protection of adults

The evil child The child seen as evil due to original sin (Sorin and Galloway, 2006, p. 14/15)

This construct permitted infanticide and physical abuse: deMause (1994) reports that it was thought severe beatings would put a child on the right path to maturity and would lead to a responsible attitude to life and society

The snowballing child

Here the child takes power from the adult in an uneven relationship where tired parents give in again and again to the demands of the child

The out-of-control child

These children have lost control over themselves (e.g., anorexia nervosa), the adult feels powerless to express agency

The noble/savior child

Similar to Harry Potter, who takes on responsibility to protect others. Adults might be depending on this child because of illness or substance abuse

The miniature adult

This construct sees the child as a small adult (depicted in paintings with adult face and adult clothes but much smaller in size) with no distinction between childhood and adulthood. This concept permits society to use children as laborers, soldiers and other adult occupations

Adult in training

The adult in training is seen in advertisements as “human becomings”, not as “human beings”. This view is favored by developmental psychologists like Piaget, Erikson and Freud

The commodified child

The child has no voice, is open to exploitation by adults (e.g., the four-year old beauty queen)

The child as victim

This child is living in war times and crime, is powerless and often not noticed as adults around them can only appeal to charities for help

The agentic child

These children have the support of loving adults to guide them to achieve their goals; their voices are respected and considered, which empowers the child to act participatory and collaboratively with adults