Abstract
This paper explores the notion of the ‘subject’ in studies of childrens subjective wellbeing. Increasingly, those researching
children’s well-being are acknowledging children as agents and including them as participants in research in order to tap
into, and report on, their subjectivities. We explore this trend to show how dominant approaches privilege an ‘objectivist’
approach to subjectivity that informs epistemological and methodological approaches and has implications for policy and practice.
An alternative approach is discussed which places children centrally as subjects.
children’s well-being are acknowledging children as agents and including them as participants in research in order to tap
into, and report on, their subjectivities. We explore this trend to show how dominant approaches privilege an ‘objectivist’
approach to subjectivity that informs epistemological and methodological approaches and has implications for policy and practice.
An alternative approach is discussed which places children centrally as subjects.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s12187-012-9150-x
- Authors
- Tobia Fattore, Workplace Research Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Jan Mason, Professor, Community and Social Work, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Elizabeth Watson, School of Social Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Journal Child Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1874-8988
- Print ISSN 1874-897X