Children in Serbian ethnology and anthropology: A literature review

Children, as well as experiences, practices, and beliefs related to childhood, have long been a topic of interest in Serbian ethnology and anthropology. Scholars address a wide range of themes, employ diverse theoretical frameworks, and continually develop their methodologies. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to ethical considerations and research sensitivity when working with children. In line with broader developments in the field of ethnology and anthropology, contemporary research in the Serbian context has moved beyond describing customs related to children, toward understanding childhood as a socially constructed category and children as active social actors with agency. This paper aims to examine the scope and body of ethnological and anthropological research with and about children in the local context. Through a detailed literature review, it identifies five broad thematic areas: children and Serbian folk religion, children’s games, children and events, marginalized children, and children’s everyday environments and social worlds.