BY

It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to thank the individuals who were essential to the writing of this dissertation: my adviser, Kathryn Sikkink, whose support, intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm guided me through these long years of research and writing, and who also served (and continues to serve) as an invaluable mentor as I navigate academia; my former professor, Barb Frey, who advised me on the sections of the dissertation dealing with international law, NGOs, and the American case study, and also had the remarkable ability to put me in touch with all the right people; Dan Kelliher, my committee expert on childhood, who helped me negotiate the minefield of the childhood studies literature with frankness and humor; and finally, Dara Strolovich, who gave me excellent advice on the American political science material and vital help in the data sections of the dissertation. I feel honored to have had such a remarkable group of people direct their attention to my project, and their support, comments and suggestions are very much appreciated