Interdisciplinary Studies of Childhood Ethics: Developing a New Field of Inquiry

Abstract

The principal aim of this investigation was to help develop ‘Interdisciplinary Studies of Childhood Ethics’ as a new field of inquiry. We identified: (i) current intra-disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge gaps in childhood ethics; and (ii) priorities for future research and development. A prominentproblem, highlighted within and across disciplines, relates to how the best interests standard should be reconciled with the recognition of children as agents. This project makes an innovative contribution by promoting the development of interdisciplinary childhood ethics knowledge and standards, informing future improvements in childhood research and services. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and National Children’s Bureau

Looked after Children and Young People in England: Developing Measures of Subjective Well-Being

“…However, we were also aware of the power inequalities between adults and children especially for children in care where the power of court decisions and those of social workers can restrict children's agency (Carnevale et al 2015). As researchers we had responsibilities to support children, in a way consistent with their age, interests and understanding (Woodhead, 2005) to enable them to participate fully in the study.…”

Adopted children and young people's views on their life storybooks: The role of narrative in the formation of identities

“…They were assured that we did not need to see their life storybooks, nor were we there to ask about their life story, but in most cases they were keen to show their own. When there was concern that the child was being impulsive or overly trusting, assurance to share the book was sought from the parent and this reflects an uneasy balance between a child rights perspective that asserts the right of the child to participate in decision-making and a child welfare perspective where protection of children from harm often overrides principles of participation (Carnevale, Campbell, Collin-Vézina, & Macdonald, 2013). In some cases parents advised the child to not share sections of their books or not show certain volumes, but otherwise seemed happy for their child to decide what to share.…”

The Moral Experiences of Children Living in Poverty: A Focused Ethnography

“…Rooted in the wider field of childhood studies, childhood ethics is an emerging field of interdisciplinary inquiry recently developed to explore knowledge and practices that relate to children's moral experiences, with the goal of reconciling the notion that children are both moral agents and vulnerable (Carnevale, Campbell, Collin-Vézina, & Macdonald, 2015;Hunt & Carnevale, 2011;Wall, 2010). This work is based on a constructivist conception of ethics in which moral experience is socially defined through a person's interpretation of their own lived experiences situated on the spectrum of right-wrong, good-bad, or just-unjust (Hunt & Carnevale, 2011).…”