Chapter 3 Building Strong and Supportive Communities
Developing a Child Standpoint
In: Harnessing the Transformative Power of EducationSearch for other papers by Sharon Bessell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
What do children in Australia value about their communities? How are communities supporting children? How are communities failing them – and why? Over the past fifteen years, across Australia, at all levels, governments have been concerned with strengthening communities as part of a policy shift towards ‘local solutions to local problems’ and to place-based initiatives. As part of this shift, there has been considerable focus on how communities can be ‘child-friendly.’ Much has been done to create communities that are inclusive of children, but much remains to be done.
Based on research with over 100 children across six urban communities in eastern Australia, this chapter explores what a child-inclusive community is from a child standpoint: a vision of communities as safe, inclusive and respectful. This vision was contradicted by the reality experienced by many children, whereby exclusion and insecurity were most commonly experienced. How can we reshape communities, drawing on a child standpoint? How can we bridge the gap between children’s vision of strong, supportive communities and the very different realities faced by many children? This chapter suggests that listening to, and taking seriously, children’s priorities and experiences is the starting point for creating strong and supportive communities.