Looking at Childhood Protection System through the Lens of Children’s Life Trajectories

Rusakova, Maya

886.1
Looking at Childhood Protection System through the Lens of Children’s Life Trajectories

Thursday, 19 July 2018: 17:45

Location: 802B (MTCC SOUTH BUILDING)

Oral Presentation

Maya RUSAKOVA, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Veronika ODINOKOVA, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation

Vlada AVDEEVA, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Alexandra LYUBIMOVA, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Ksenia ERITSYAN, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Yulia ZAKHAROVA, The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Based on life course perspective and empirical study “Social Trajectories of Childhood in contemporary Russia” we analyzed life events, turning points, and the role of childhood protection stakeholders (social care, NGOs, education, police and guardianship authorities) in children’s lives. Children were recruited from families of two types: 1) officially registered as families with a risk of a threat to the life and health of the children; 2) families in a difficult life situation without a direct threat to the child. To collect data about children’s life trajectories we used mixed methods, including qualitative interviews with children, their parents and social workers, drawing of timelines, eco-maps, quantitative instruments for evaluation of children’s well-being and other. Data were collected on 100 children's life trajectories during March-August 2017. The study revealed a number of methodological limitations of application of life course perspective in research with children’s participation. Some children were not prepared to discuss the life as a linear structure. Children with mild mental retardation and those who were absent from schools for years had much difficulties to work with concepts of “events”, “turning points” etc. The majority of children had difficulties in recalling the timing of events. Despite the mentioned limitations, the study has collected the rich material showing significant differences in interpretation of life trajectories of children from all three perspectives (a child, a parent and a social care professional). Children’s difficulties persisted across the life course through the progressive accumulation of behavioral problems, labeling, and unsolved family problems. Timely support from childhood protection system, NGOs and church played a positive role helping to neutralize the negative events in children’s lives. This research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project № 16-18-10372).

886.1 Looking at Childhood Protection System through the Lens of Children’s Life Trajectories

886.1
Looking at Childhood Protection System through the Lens of Children’s Life Trajectories