51.078-2 - Foregrounding Children's Views and Voices in Critical Times

• In Event: 51.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 21

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

The current socio-political climate has raised international concerns about the increasing attacks on many communities. Children are encouraged to resist the oppressive and discriminatory policies, but their advocacy is often hindered because of dominant beliefs about them as being innocent and vulnerable, inexperienced, and not capable (Smith, 2013). The primary aim of this session is to examine ways children can be empowered within research, educational, and community contexts. Papers range in topic from children as research consultants, a critical reflection on black boys' participation in school, Latinx children’s perspectives on growing up in Arizona, and children’s perspectives on advocacy. Each study presents evidence that reconceptualises children as vital social agents in research design, their own learning, civic engagement, and activism.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education / Division G - Section 4: Policy and Mattering

Chairs

• Janette Habashi, University of Oklahoma

• Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

Papers

• Powerful Voices: Children as Research Consultants - Sonya Gaches, The University of Otago

• Inclusionary Research Practices as Related to Exclusionary Findings: An Inside Look at the Deficit Constructs of School Readiness Discourse - Miriam B. Tager, Westfield State University

• Activism in Their Own Right: Children's Perspectives on Social Justice, Civic Action, and Advocacy - Lacey Elizabeth Peters, Hunter College - CUNY; Beth Powers, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

• Immigrant Children in Arizona: Straddling Borders and Identities - Angeles Judith Maldonado, The Institute for Border Crit Theory; Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University