Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Young peoples' representations of 'atypical' work in English society

Crafter, S., O'Dell, L., Abreu, G. d. and Cline, T. (2009) Young peoples' representations of 'atypical' work in English society. Children & Society. 23(3), pp. 176-188. 0951-0605.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: In this paper we explore young peoples’ normative representations of work. In particular we are interested in the ways young people view work roles which could be considered ‘atypical’ such as young caring or language brokering. Interviewed were 46 young people (15-18 years) some who did, and some who did not engage in the ‘atypical’ work roles of language brokering or young caring. Findings indicated that young people have a strong representation of what a ‘normal’ childhood comprises and that friends, teachers and parents play a mediational role in cementing this contextually. However, respondents presented two alternative representations around engagement in ‘atypical’ roles, with some individuals holding both views at the same time. On the one hand they felt that engagement in ‘atypical’ activities would be experienced as a loss of ‘normal’ childhood. On the other hand a more positive representation of ‘atypical’ childhoods was also drawn on, in which engagement in ‘atypical’ activities was seen as a source of pride and a contributor of additional skills to a child’s development. This opinion was evidenced by both those who had, and those who had not engaged in ‘atypical’ work.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Constructions of childhood, children's work, young carers, language brokers
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ767 Children. Child development
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ793 Youth. Adolescents. Teenagers
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF712 Developmental psychology
Creators: Crafter, Sarah, O'Dell, Lindsay, Abreu, Guida de and Cline, T
Funders or Sponsors: ESRC
Projects: Young Peoples' Representations of Conflicting Roles in Child Development - RES-000-22-0549-A
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Group > Social and Cultural Research in Psychology Group
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 2009
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 176-188
Journal or Publication Title: Children & Society
Volume: 23
Number: 3
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-0860.2008.00165.x
ISSN: 0951-0605
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/2620

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