ESRC seminars: Violence and childhood
The ESRC seminar series 'Violence and childhood in an international and comparative perspective' explores the impacts of violence on children's lives in an international and comparative perspective.
Background
- It is commonplace to regard violence against children and by children as exceptional. Childhood is widely thought of as a space in which children are nurtured and loved by significant others and governed by institutions (family, school, government) who try to act in children’s best interests. The intense media attention paid to children who are subjected to or participate in violence is partly a reflection of this presumption that childhood is a protected space. When viewed in an international and comparative perspective it is clear that violence is not exceptional in childhood and may even be an everyday part of childhood.
- We consider not only the exceptional moments of violence against children but also its routine use in disciplining children, including in families and schools. What is the relationship between violence and power(lessness): do children experience more violence than other people and if they do is that because they are less powerful? How does violence enter into children’s lives and how can they protect themselves/be protected from violence?
Seminar details
- Seminar 1: Violence and the making of the subject
- Seminar 2: Violence and liminality: violent transitions from childhood to adulthood in a global context
- Seminar 3: Aesthetics, ethics, politics: representations of violence against children
- Seminar 4: Violence and the circulation of children
- Seminar 5: Child soldiers
- Seminar 6: The politics and ethics of researching violence against and by children.
The series will be run over two years with three seminars in each academic year (one per term) to allow for the development of ideas over time and to facilitate the formation of an intellectual community orientated to international childhood studies. Each seminar will begin with a breakfast event – e.g. poster sessions produced by postgraduate students, short films and video screenings, book stalls – to create a space conducive to dialogue between participants.
- These events will run from 9.30 to 10.30 am.
- From 10.30 to 12.00 3 x 20 minute presentations will be made by practitioners/policy-makers followed by questions.
- After lunch a further 4 x 30 minute papers will be presented (including one paper from a doctoral student) (1-3 p.m.) followed by small group discussions (3.30 to 4.30) and a plenary session form 4.30 to 5.30.
Contact
If you would like to participate or require more information please contact Dr Karen Wells.
