This book presents a comprehensive overview of findings from the Children¿s Worlds project ¿ the most extensive and diverse study to have been conducted globally on children¿s own views of their lives. It provides a unique comparative insight into the similarities and differences in children¿s lives and well-being around the world, including findings that challenge prevailing assumptions of where, and in what contexts, children might experience a ¿good childhood¿.

The book draws out the key messages and implications from the study and identifies directions for future work on child well-being. It will be of interest to researchers and students in the field of childhood studies, as well as a wide range of professionals and organisations concerned with improving children¿s quality of life.

Gwyther Rees (Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, UK) is the Research Director of the Children's Worlds project - an international study of children's lives and well-being. Gwyther has researched and published on a range of social policy issues relevant to children and young people as well as on children's subjective well-being.

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. How the study was done.- Chapter 3. The structure of children's subjective well-being.- Chapter 4. The context of children's lives.- Chapter 5. Overall well-being.- Chapter 6. Home and family.- Chapter 7. Money and possessions.- Chapter 8. Friendships.- Chapter 9. School.- Chapter 10. Local area.- Chapter 11. Self.- Chapter 12. Time use.- Chapter 13. Synthesis.- Chapter 14. Factors associated with overall well-being.- Chapter 15. Discussion and conclusions.