Freedom From Symbolic Violence? Facilitators and Barriers to Participatory Practices in Youth Justice

Creaney, Sean; Burns, Samantha

Abstract

The Child First Participation agenda in England marks a paradigm shift in youth justice. This solidifies a commitment to democratising decision-making processes with children. Drawing on interviews with children and professionals, this article explores the enablers and constraints to Child First participation in youth justice services, including how risk-oriented practices, managerialism and neo-liberal mechanisms constrain positive relationships with children. In this article, Bourdieu’s concept of ‘symbolic violence’ is used to explore systemic problems when engaging children in co-producing youth justice interventions. The article suggests how participatory practices can provide freedom from symbolic violence for both children and practitioners.

Citation

Creaney, S., & Burns, S. (2023). Freedom From Symbolic Violence? Facilitators and Barriers to Participatory Practices in Youth Justice. Youth Justice, https://doi.org/10.1177/14732254231156844

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 11, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 17, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 17, 2023
• Journal: Youth Justice
• Print ISSN: 1473-2254
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-6283
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14732254231156844
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1174758