’I think they should be involved in some capacity.’ An interview study about perceptions of children’s possibilities and abilities for democratic participation and influence

Eng, Jessica (2025) ’I think they should be involved in some capacity.’ An interview study about perceptions of children’s possibilities and abilities for democratic participation and influence. Ed.D thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This dissertation uses Wall’s (2010) concept of childism and Braun and Clarke’s (2022) reflexive thematic analysis to analyse the perceptions of students previously registered on a university course about children’s rights. The focus for the study is the students’ perceptions of children’s possibilities and abilities for democratic participation an influence in the private and public sphere.

Data were gathered through semi structured in-depth interviews with 13 participants, held and recorded through Zoom. All of the participants expressed the view that children should be ‘involved in some capacity’ democratically, but their suggestions for influence and participation ranged from emphasising activism and minor decisions related to the family and the school (the private sphere) to advocacy for a low voting age (the public sphere). Some, such as Mika, suggested that education needs to improve so children can make informed democratic decisions, or that more experience and maturity are needed for children to become involved in formal major democratic decisions. Issues of protection and the adultification of children were stressed by some participants as arguments against children’s involvement. Other perceptions underscored that children should not be deemed incompetent, that the experiences of all people are of relevance in a democracy, and that children should not be excluded from various arenas based on their age. Instead, it was argued that children should be able to represent themselves just like other groups in society. Many participants saw adults and their view of children as an obstacle to children’s genuine democratic participation and influence. Here national and cultural aspects were thought to be of relevance, with some countries being described as more supportive than others. The taken for granted view of children as adults in becoming wasquestioned by some participants but supported by others.

Wall’s (2010) concept of childism shines a light on normative adult views on democratic participation and calls for a reconstruction that empowers children and their perspectives. In an era where the rights and voices of children are of relevance, but democracy is declining (especially among youth), this dissertation argues that more attention should be given to the issue of children’s democratic participation.

• Item Type: Thesis (Ed.D)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Funder's Name: Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation
• Supervisor's Name: Patrick, Dr. Fiona and Hedge, Professor Nicki
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85262
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 26 Jun 2025 14:29
• Last Modified: 26 Jun 2025 14:31
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85262
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85262