Children as Change Makers: Exploring Children's Meaningful Participation in Participatory Action Research Through a Project on Helicopter Parenting

Abstract

Children's marginalisation in research limits their opportunities to create meaningful social change. This project explored children's meaningful participation in Participatory Action Research as a tool to empower children as change makers. An adult and child co-researcher collaborated to conduct a literature review on a social issue chosen by the child: helicopter parenting. Highlighting that children and adults have access to different knowledge based on their status in society, the co-researchers wrote about helicopter parenting from three different perspectives: media, psychology and childhood studies. Through a reflection on the research process, the co-researchers offer insight into the impact of mutual relationships, power imbalances, and emotions on children's meaningful participation in research. They also present the value of children's voices in research and research as a learning opportunity for adults and children. Ultimately, the co-researchers aim to challenge readers to reflect on creating more equitable research practices with children to enhance children's opportunities to make change through research.

Citation

Mountford, M. and Vento, F.M. (2022), "Children as Change Makers: Exploring Children's Meaningful Participation in Participatory Action Research Through a Project on Helicopter Parenting", Frankel, S. (Ed.) Establishing Child Centred Practice in a Changing World, Part A (Emerald Studies in Child Centred Practice), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 25-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-406-020221003