Challenging dominant representations of residential childcare in Romania: an exploration of the views of children and young people living in the care system

Abstract

This study explores perceptions of risk commonly shared by children and young people living in care system in Romania. The original data, reported here, were gathered through direct interviews with children and young people living in public and private care. In undertaking the research, the authors wanted to challenge dominant, largely media created, representations of the care system in Romania. The aim was to explore the real risks that young people face arising out of their daily experiences. Research data were gathered using a narrative interview approach. Specific forms of risk are identified including: risks arising out of peer and staff relationships, care system policy and practice, external perceptions and beliefs and young people's fear of the future.

Keywords:

• children and young people
• care homes
• perceptions
• risk
• media representations

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS – UEFISCDI [project number PN-II-RU-PD-2011-3-0253].

Notes

1. The photos taken by James Nachtwey can be seen here: http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/jn/slides/g14.html; http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/jn/slides/g15.html.

2. Details on the social politics and child-protection evolution in Romania are given by a series of authors like Buzducea et al. (1997), Roth (1999), Greenwell (2003), Lataianu (2003), Dickens and Groza (2004), Wehrmann (2005), Rus et al. (2011), etc.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was supported by a grant from the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS – UEFISCDI [project number PN-II-RU-PD-2011-3-0253].