Date of Publication:
25-11-2022
Author (primary and other collaborators):
Frida Jonsson, Puthy Pat, Chama Mulubwa, Bhoomikumar Jegannathan & Kaaren Mathias
Author of the Module:
Keywords:
marginalization
youth
Country: Geographical Context of the Research: International
Scientific Area of Research
Sociology
Building on the value of engaging with and enabling the participation of marginalised young people in research, this article aimed to profile practical and procedural issues faced when conducting studies with young people who experience some form of marginalisation. Drawing on observations and research experiences from four diverse case studies involving young people imprisoned in Cambodia, living in informal urban communities in North India, residing in rural northern Sweden or attending school in rural Zambia, learnings were identified under three thematic areas. Firstly, a need exists to develop trusting relationships with stakeholders, and especially the participating young people, through multiple interactions. Secondly, the value of research methods that are creative and context-sensitive are required to make the process equitable and meaningful for young people. Thirdly, it is important to flatten power relations between adults and young people, researchers and the researched, to maximise participation. These findings can inform future youth research in the field of global public health by detailing opportunities and challenges of engaging in research with young people on the margins to promote their participation.
This practical research article describes four case studies that seek to enable the participation of marginalized youth in different contexts (Cambodia, India, Sweden, Zambia). Through a collective and critical review of this research, the authors identified three key “lessons learned” for youth research in global public health. The study shows how the participation of young people in research constitutes a methodological principle to strive for rather than being inherent or bound to specific methods. More importantly, conducting participatory youth research will involve critical self-reflection and active positioning of the (adult) researcher(s), who will not only need to be responsive to young people's needs, desires and initiatives but will need to be open to new ways of working, to the delegation of power and the minimization of control.
The research presented in an illustrative synoptic table was in some cases very difficult due to the cultural poverty of the young participants. It was concluded that it is very important to meet participants often to build trusting relationships using creative and context-sensitive research methods. It is necessary with young people of this type to flatten the easy hierarchies of power with young adult partnerships that can challenge oppressive systems in their condition.
Jonsson Frida et al., Conducting research with young people at the margins – lessons learnt and shared through case studies in Cambodia, India, Sweden and Zambia, in «BMC Public Health» 22 (25 november 2022) 1, 2185, in https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14427-8 (Consultato: 16 dicembre 2023).
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