Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Children’s corporeal agency and use of space in situations of domestic violence

Alexander, J., Callaghan, J., Sixsmith, J. and Fellin, L. (2016) Children’s corporeal agency and use of space in situations of domestic violence. In: Horton, J., Evans, B. and Skelton, T. (eds.) Play, Recreation, Health and Well Being; Vol. 9 of Skelton, T. (ed.) Geographies of Children and Young People. Singapore: Springer. pp. 1-21.

Item Type: Book Section
Abstract: This chapter draws on empirical and theoretical literature from a diverse range of disciplines and perspectives, illustrated with examples from the authors’ research with child survivors of domestic abuse, to explore children’s corporeal agency and use of space in situations of violence. There is a noticeable paucity of literature that explores how children cope, or their capacity for resilience and resistance in situations of domestic violence. Furthermore, while violence and abuse are perpetrated and experienced in ways that are embodied and spatial, research seldom explores how children and young people experience and manage living in violent situations in corporeal and spatial ways. This chapter highlights the need for future research to consider children’s capacity for agency and resilience, taking into account spatial and corporeal contexts and experiences of violence in order to balance problem-focused debates around children’s experiences of domestic abuse with a more resilience-focused lens. Findings illustrate children as capable and active agents, resourceful and inventive in their capacity to use, produce and construct physical, embodied and relational spaces for security, comfort and healing during and after living within violent and volatile contexts.
Uncontrolled Keywords: domestic abuse, domestic violence, children, resilience, children's geographies, embodiment, corporeal agency, UNARS, Daphne
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ767 Children. Child development
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV6001 Criminology > HV6251 Crimes and offences > HV6626 Family violence
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV697 Protection, assistance and relief > HV701 Children
Creators: Alexander, Jo, Callaghan, Jane, Sixsmith, Judith and Fellin, Lisa
Editors: Horton, John, Evans, Bethan and Skelton, Tracey
Grant Reference Number: JUST/2012/DAP-AG-3461
Projects: Understanding Agency & Resistance Strategies (UNARS)
Publisher: Springer
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > The Centre for Children and Youth
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 26 December 2016
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 1-21
Title of Book: Play, Recreation, Health and Well Being; Vol. 9 of Skelton, T. (ed.) Geographies of Children and Young People
Series Name: Geographies of Children and Young People
Volume: 9
Place of Publication: Singapore
Number of Pages: 600
Language: English
ISBN: 9789814585507
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4585-96-5_23-1
Status: Published / Disseminated
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7530

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