Abstract
The current study examines 16 Latina/o fifth grade children’s desires for a decision-making structure within a youth participatory
action research (yPAR) program. When given the choices of consensus, majority rule, authoritarian rule, delegation, and random
choice models, children chose random choice. Procedural, distributive and emotional justice were heavily weighted in their
reasoning around fairness and decision making. Many thought random choice offered the best alternative because it flattened
power hierarchies so that each child would, at some point, have the power to make a decision. Additionally, children argued
that the neutrality of random choice allowed them to sidestep interpersonal tensions. Implications include how social identities
inform definitions of fairness and how yPAR programs should work with youth around how they will make decisions.
action research (yPAR) program. When given the choices of consensus, majority rule, authoritarian rule, delegation, and random
choice models, children chose random choice. Procedural, distributive and emotional justice were heavily weighted in their
reasoning around fairness and decision making. Many thought random choice offered the best alternative because it flattened
power hierarchies so that each child would, at some point, have the power to make a decision. Additionally, children argued
that the neutrality of random choice allowed them to sidestep interpersonal tensions. Implications include how social identities
inform definitions of fairness and how yPAR programs should work with youth around how they will make decisions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-010-9381-2
- Authors
- Regina Day Langhout, Psychology Department, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Danielle M. Kohfeldt, Psychology Department, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Erin Rose Ellison, Psychology Department, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562