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Childhood Ethics: An ontological advancement for childhood studies |
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| Authors: | Franco A. Carnevale Delphine Collin-Vézina Mary Ellen Macdonald Jean-Frédéric Ménard Victoria Talwar Shauna Van Praagh |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Pediatrics, Biomedical Ethics Unit, Counselling Psychology, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;2. School of Social Work & Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;3. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;4. Faculté de droit, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada;5. Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;6. Faculty of Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada |
| Abstract: | We describe an ontological approach to childhood studies that we refer to as Childhood Ethics. This involves an interdisciplinary hermeneutic orientation towards examining the morally meaningful dimensions of matters that affect young people. We draw on our empirical research with young people from 3- to 17-years old, examining their experiences in a diversity of contexts and geographical settings. Our investigations challenge dominant binary conceptions of young people along lines of decisional in/capacity and im/maturity. We argue for a view of children as active agents with meaningful relational engagements and participation interests and capacities and outline corresponding implications for research and practice. |
| Keywords: | agency childhood ethics interdisciplinary ontological |