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The What, Why and How of Child Participation—A Review of the Conceptualization of “Child Participation” in Child Welfare

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  • Berit Skauge

    (Department of Social Work, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Anita Skårstad Storhaug

    (Department of Social Work, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Edgar Marthinsen

    (Department of Social Work, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

This review explores the conceptualization of “child participation” in a child welfare context. The analyses are based on the theories, models and concepts researchers apply when framing their studies. Central to the authors’ conceptualizing is the understanding of why children should participate. Children’s rights are a common starting point for many authors, but they differ on whether children should participate out of consideration for children’s intrinsic value (e.g., concern for their well-being) or for the instrumental value of the participation itself (e.g., service outcome). The analysis also focuses on how authors measure participation level. The analysis showed that most authors presented a limited rights-focused goal for the collaboration with children, while a minority group problematized the concept. Although several researchers emphasize that participation requires a process, few authors see the meaning-making process as the main purpose of child participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Berit Skauge & Anita Skårstad Storhaug & Edgar Marthinsen, 2021. "The What, Why and How of Child Participation—A Review of the Conceptualization of “Child Participation” in Child Welfare," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:54-:d:492739
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Margaret Bruce, 2014. "The Voice of the Child in Child Protection: Whose Voice?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Balsells, M. Ángeles & Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria & Pastor, Crescencia, 2017. "Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 418-425.
    3. Križ, Katrin & Roundtree-Swain, Dakota, 2017. "“We are merchandise on a conveyer belt”: How young adults in the public child protection system perceive their participation in decisions about their care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 32-40.
    4. van Bijleveld, G.G. & Dedding, C.W.M. & Bunders-Aelen, J.F.G., 2014. "Seeing eye to eye or not? Young people's and child protection workers' perspectives on children's participation within the Dutch child protection and welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 253-259.
    5. Arbeiter, Ere & Toros, Karmen, 2017. "Participatory discourse: Engagement in the context of child protection assessment practices from the perspectives of child protection workers, parents and children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 17-27.
    6. Roger A. Hart, 1992. "Children's Participation: From tokenism to citizenship," Papers inness92/6, Innocenti Essay.
    7. Fylkesnes, Marte Knag & Taylor, Julie & Iversen, Anette Christine, 2018. "Precarious participation: Exploring ethnic minority youth's narratives about out-of-home placement in Norway," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 341-347.
    8. Bessell, Sharon, 2011. "Participation in decision-making in out-of-home care in Australia: What do young people say?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 496-501, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Haarberg, Frøydis Lønborg, 2024. "What do we know about children’s representation in child protection decisions? A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).

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