Vietnam's Children in a Changing World

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments ix ix Acknowledgments My grateful thanks go to all the children who informed my research, especially the boys with tattoos and those who were making their living on the streets of Hanoi. Most importantly I must thank my doctorate supervisors, Ronnie Frankenberg, Ian Robinson and Alison Shaw, without whose insightful encouragement I could not have embarked on this project. At the outset of my work Erica Burman and Jo Boyden were very encouraging. Special thanks also go to Barrie Thorne, who encouraged me to send a book proposal to Rutgers University Press. Thanks to Judith Justice, who also supported my proposal. The writing of this book would have been impossible without the ongoing support of Kristi Long, who gave me many insightful comments during the editing process and encouraged me to remain true to my original work. I would very much like to thank Dr. Gill Tipping of the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University, who became my Hanoi-based mentor and copious tea drinking companion and friend. There is insufficient room to thank all the NGO workers and Hanoi-based friends who informed my study. However, I must single out “Jack,” whose strength of character and compassion was truly inspiring. I also wish to thank Alison Purvis, who taught me much about Vietnam, and Tim Bond x Acknowledgments for his encouragement. Jane McClennan at The School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, must also be thanked for her interest in my work. Nguyen Thuy Hien, Vu Thu Hong, Nguyen Hong Ngoc, and my professor at Hanoi National University, were more than generous with their friendship and time. I would like to thank my good friend Emma Williams and also Vu Kanh Thanh at the An Viet Foundation, London, who gave me the opportunity to get involved in the Viet Kieu community. My colleagues at the Open University provided a rich and stimulating environment in which to develop my ideas. I am particularly grateful to Heather Montgomery, Martin Woodhead, Peter Barnes, Mary Jane Kehily, Wendy Stainton-Rogers, Janet Maybin, Donald Mackinnon, and Jeremy Roche. Thanks too to Virginia Morrow, who edited my first publication. Between 2003 and 2005 the anthropology department at the University of Wisconsin generously provided me with a visiting fellowship specifically so that I could work on this book. Writing a book of this length inevitably takes time, and over the years particular friends and family members have provided me with support. Kristin Liabo has shared her insights into the study of childhood, while Jon Braman encouraged me from the very beginning of this project right to the end. Victoria Cardin’s support has been unwavering during the writing of this book. Eliot Freidson and Helen Giambruni offered comments on early manuscripts. Judith Lorber gave me much encouragement in seeing this project through to completion. Simon Burr has offered empathetic words of encouragement. Both my parents, Mike and Pamela Burr, have offered immeasurable support and interest in my work, even going as far as to visit me while I was living in Hanoi and going on to read countless drafts of this book. Gratitude also to my mother, Vicki Dobski, and Megan Chaloupka for caring for my children while I was writing. Finally, my thanks go to my partner, Matt Freidson, whom I met when we were both living in Hanoi. Our shared passion for Vietnam has inspired me during the writing of this book. Acknowledgments xi Vietnam’s Children in a Changing World xii Acknowledgments ...