Childhood, Vulnerability and Agency In Times of Crisis

In the disciplinary history of Sociology, Psychology and International Relations, children have been studied as ‘dependent’ subjects, bereft of political consciousness and decision-making potential. However, such a perception flattens the experience of childhood as homogenous as well as denies looking at children as social actors who are not merely ‘subjects’, rather active ‘agents’ making and unmaking meanings within larger contextual realities. This misrepresentation hampers measures of rehabilitation of children as a distinct social category in the face of damage brought about by factors like forced migration, ethnic and communal conflicts, climate crises and war, resulting separation of children from parental care due to death, devastation, and poverty. Moreover, vulnerabilities of children are unequally distributed across different socio-political contexts; the intersections of race, region, religion, class and gender being often overlooked.

In this context, we propose a session on childhood vulnerabilities and agency challenging the traditional denial of personhood to children. We ask- How do children interpret crisis and negotiate their everyday ‘normal’ into it? What are their specific requirements for being ‘saved’, politically heard and allowed a dignified, quality life?

The session invites papers engaging with, but not limited to, the following:

• Children’s Voices as a Subjects, Observers and Analysts in Global Conflict
• Play, Performance and Interpretation of Conflict
• Galvanizing Children’s Agency in Seeking Protection of Child Rights
• Challenging Methodologies of studying Childhood
• Visual Pleas for Altruism: Child Imagery for World Peace