Social Control of Children and Youth in Shopping Malls: An Exploration of Interagency Dynamics

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

This poster delineates the key findings from a dissertation investigating the mechanisms of social control exerted on children and young people in the semi-public arenas of shopping malls. The study employed a three-phase interview methodology, engaging with key stakeholders: shopping mall security personnel, youth workers, and police officers, totaling 26 participants. Utilizing discursive psychology for data analysis, the research reveals a lack of common practice in cooperative management of youth disturbances. It further identifies a range of divergent power dynamics that hinder mutual understanding and effective interaction among these actors. By examining these dynamics, the study proposes pathways to dismantle existing barriers and foster effective interagency collaboration.

Author

• Viktorie Paloušová, Charles University, Prague / Institute for Criminology and Social Prevention, Prague