‘That's not a good idea, mom': Negotiating children's subjectivity while constructing ‘home’ as a research site

Abstract

Framing this methodological article are two main themes on which we elaborate: (1) constructing ‘home’ as a site for doing research with children, and (2) facilitating children's autonomy and subjectivity in the accessing and recruiting phases, thus providing them opportunities to buy into the research process. Drawing on joint experiences from two closely related research projects on a housing development in Norway, we bring to the fore and explore both the role of gatekeepers and sponsors and ongoing negotiations within the triangular parent–child–researcher relation.

Acknowledgements

Both authors are grateful to the Norwegian Research Council, Program for Housing and Welfare, for funding the research on which this article is based. We also thank Stuart Aitken and two anonymous reviewers for their close reading of the manuscript and insightful suggestions about it.

Notes

1. The housing development and all involved persons are given pseudonyms.

2. In the city where the studies were carried out, and similarly at the national level, private ownership of housing makes up 75% of the total housing market Tentative Municipality Report for Housing Program Year 2005–2008. This complies with Norwegian policy, cultural ideals, and practices (Gullestad, 2003).

3. In an envelope with the logo for the Norwegian Centre for Child Research on it we enclosed one letter addressed specifically to the children (cf. endnote 8), a second letter to the adult(s) in the household, and the third was a copy of the letter from the home owners' association.

4. For example, Internet in Norway (in the year 2001) was accessible from 74% of the households in which children between the ages of 9 and 15 years old were residing (Tingstad, 2003).

5. Generally speaking, mailboxes on which at least three names are printed indicate with high probability that a child is one of the household members for a contemporary Norwegian practice is to include children's names on the mailbox.

6. Etymologically, cozy is most likely of Scandinavian origin, akin to Norwegian koselig, which means enjoying or affording warmth and ease; also marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group; may suggest close association (Merriam-Webster Dictionary OnLine: www.m-w.com).

7. The 70-m² apartments (approx. 700 sq. ft.) can be expanded up to 130 m² (or approx. 1300 sq. ft.) by incorporating sections of the basement or attic.

8. To the children in the family! January 21, 2000

Our names are Randi and Barbara, and we work as researchers at a place called the Norwegian Centre for Child Research. Researchers are interested in all sorts of things and try to understand why and how things and people are the way they are. We try, for example, to learn more about how people live their everyday lives, day in and day out. We then write about this in books, reports and papers, which other people then read. Sometimes we hold lectures and talk to other people who want to listen to what we have to tell them, so that they, too, can learn more.

 Before, researchers often asked other adults about children. But adults—researchers included—have forgotten so much about what it is like to be a kid, and so much has changed since we were children ourselves. There's so much we don't know, and a lot we wonder about. This is why several researchers like ourselves choose to work together with children, so we can ask children about the things we don't know.

 For the time being, Randi's job is to try and find out more about how children use the houses they live in, and what children think about the different things in their homes. It is difficult for me to know what children like yourselves mean and think about living in the houses you live in. But since you are children, and you live in the house together with your family, you are the ones I should be asking. This is why I would very much like to talk with you. Do you think you'd like to tell me what it is like living where you live?

 Barbara wants to visit where you live, to watch and listen to you when you are outside. I'm interested in learning more about what you do when you're outside during all four seasons of the year. I've thought about asking you, and hope you will agree, to take some outdoor photographs with a camera I will loan you. Afterwards, we can talk about what you think about the housing development you live on, and you can tell me about the photographs you take. Do you think this may be something you'd want to do?

 If you'd like to talk with Randi and/or Barbara, we will need either your mother's or father's signature. This is why we have also sent a letter to them. Hope we can meet you sometime!

Best regards,

Randi and Barbara

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Randi Dyblie Nilsen

Email: [email protected]

Barbara Rogers

Email: [email protected]