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Exploring children's understanding of law in their everyday lives.

Authors :
Watkins, Dawn
Law, Effie Lai-Chong
Barwick, Joanna
Kirk, Elee
Source :
Legal Studies. Mar2018, Vol. 38 Issue 1, p59-78. 20p.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

This paper sets out the findings of an exploratory study that, drawing on the so-called ‘new sociology of childhood’, has theorised the child as a competent social actor and conjectured that, on this basis, whilst they might lack formal legal capacity, children may nevertheless possess legal capability. Taking a child-first (as opposed to a law-first) approach, the study has sought to assess children's legal understanding using digital gaming as a research tool. We have identified as an area of particular strength children's attitudes to gender equality, and we have determined that many children demonstrate competency to deal with consumer-related issues appropriately. However, at the other extreme, we have established that children demonstrate considerable uncertainty concerning the levels of force that adult authority figures are permitted to exercise over them. We have found in the course of this study that children are competent and willing to express their views on matters that concern them. However, they do not expect to be invited to do this in their day-to-day lives. Related to this we have found a vast lack of awareness among children concerning the rights afforded to them under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02613875
Volume :
38
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Legal Studies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
128843004
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/lst.2017.8