This volume of
Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion includes a wide range of papers from a social-science perspective. The special section gives a unique insight into the rapidly growing field of psychological studies of religion in China. It draws on experts from China and the USA who met for a conference at Fuller Theological Seminary and have together compiled a collection of original research and reviews that helps to locate the current state of the discipline from a specifically Chinese perspective. Other papers in the volume examine intergenerational religious transmission and religious problem-solving styles in the USA.
Andrew Village is Professor of Practical and Empirical Theology at York St John University, UK. He researches in psychology and religion and congregational studies. His books include
The Bible and Lay People (2007) and
Preaching with all our Souls (2008).
Ralph W. Hood, Jr., Ph.D. (1968), University of Nevada, Reno, is Professor of Psychology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A former president of Division 36 of the APA, he is author of numerous books on the psychology of religion.
Foreword
Acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
1
Setting the Scene
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Introducing Core Concepts of the
crc
1.3 The Challenge of Implementation as Reality and as the Topic of This Study
1.4 Objectives, Focus Areas and Outline
1.4.1
Objectives and General Outline
1.4.2
On the Focus on Tradition, Attitudes and ‘culture’
1.4.3
On the Focus on Sweden
1.4.4
Structure of the Book
2
Concepts and Theories: On ‘the child’, ‘childhood’, and Rights
2.1 Introduction
2.2 ‘The child’ as an Object of Inquiry
2.2.1
‘The child’ in the
crc
2.2.2
Concepts of ‘the child’ and ‘childhood’ – Some Perspectives
2.2.2.1
General Reflections
2.2.2.2
‘The child’ in Childhood Studies
2.3 Brief Reflections on ‘the child’ and ‘childhood’
2.4 The Child as a Rights Holder
2.4.1
Why Rights?
2.4.2
Do Children Really Have Rights?
2.4.3
On the Foundations for the Rights of Children
2.4.4
Remarks on the Justification of Children’s Rights
3
Participation and Article 12
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Participation as a Concept
3.2.1
Identifying and Defining Participation
3.2.2
Remarks on Participation
3.3 Nature and Scope of Article 12
3.3.1
Introductory Remarks
3.3.2
Brief Notes on the Background and Drafting Process
3.3.3
Analysis of Article 12
3.3.3.1
Capability of Forming His or Her Own Views
3.3.3.2
The Right to Express Views Freely
3.3.3.3
All Matters Affecting the Child
3.3.3.4
Giving the Views of the Child Due Weight in Accordance with the Child’s Age and Maturity
3.3.3.5
The Right to Be Heard in Any Judicial or Administrative Proceedings Affecting the Child
3.3.3.6
The Right to Be Heard Directly or through a Representative in a Manner Consistent with Procedural Rules of National Law
3.3.4
Article 12 in Relation to OthercrcProvisions
3.3.4.1
Article 12 and Other ‘participation rights’
3.3.4.2
Article 12 and the Other General Principles of thecrc
3.3.4.3
Article 12 and Article 5 on Parental Rights
3.4 What is it about and Who is it For? Reflections on the Analysis of Article 12
4
Implementing Article 12: Procedures, Obstacles and Explanations
4.1 Introduction
4.2 General Measures of Implementation
4.2.1
On Obligations, Requirements and Resources
4.2.2
Legal Measures and Status of thecrcin National Law
4.2.3
Administrative and Other Measures
4.3 Monitoring and Guidance
4.4 Implementing Article 12 – State Practices as Described by States Themselves and by the
crc
Committee
4.4.1
Background and the Previous Study
4.4.2
Declarations by State Parties on Article 12
4.4.3
State Parties on Article 12 between May 2006 and May 2016
4.4.4
Concluding Observations by thecrcCommittee on Article 12 between May 2006 and May 2016
4.5 Concluding Comments
5
Country Study: Sweden
5.1 Sweden and Children’s Rights: An Amicable Relationship (?)
5.1.1
Introduction
5.1.2
Brief Notes on Background
5.1.3
Status of thecrcin Swedish Law
5.1.4
Strategies and Policies
5.1.5
Children’s Rights in Swedish Legislation: Some Examples
5.2 Sweden and Article 12 in the
crc
Monitoring Process
5.2.1
State Party Reports
5.2.2
Responses and Comments by thecrc Committee
5.3 Focus: The Asylum-seeking Child
5.3.1
In Theory: Legislation, Guidelines and Policy
5.3.2
In Practice: Studies on Implementation
5.3.3
Comments
5.4 Focus: Child Participation in Public Decision-making
5.4.1
In Theory: Strategies, Legislation, and Policies
5.4.2
In Practice: Mixed Reviews
5.4.3
Comments
5.5 Final Reflections on Article 12 in the Swedish Context
6
Concluding Reflections
6.1 Key Observations
6.2 On Traditional Attitudes and Power
6.2.1 Universality and Legitimacy
6.2.2 State Parties, the
crc
Committee, and Traditional Attitudes
6.3 On Moving Forward
6.4 Final Reflections
Bibliography
Index
Academics interested generally in the sociology or psychology of religion, especially those interested in the psychology of religion in China and the rest of Asia.