Taking Children's Voices in Disaster Risk Reduction a Step Forward

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) continues to gain momentum globally and locally, but there is a notable void in the DRR literature on the role of children in community-level disaster risk management in Zimbabwe. Children are among the most vulnerable groups when disasters occur, yet their voices in disaster risk reduction are rarely heard. Using a qualitative methodology, this article examines the extent to which children are involved in disaster risk reduction in Muzarabani District, Zimbabwe. Despite evidence of the potential positive impact that children can have on DRR, their involvement in risk reduction planning in Zimbabwe is negligible. To achieve greater resilience to disasters requires that children's voices are heard and recognized as central to improved disaster risk reduction

Discourses/2. Ireland: Listening to children's voices in Irish social work through cultural and organisational filters

This chapter is concerned with policy and legislation shifts regarding the welfare and education of children in Ireland. Ireland’s social services framework and pedagogical context will be critiqued regarding available space for children’s active involvement in educational decisions and life changes. With help of data collected through interviews with professionals and policy and documentary analysis, it will be assessed and reflected upon if and how self-determination of children is visible and heard within Irish practices in Early Education and Social Work. In particular, it is explored how the individualistic rights based approach to social work and education advanced by state legislation is intertwined with the construction of children as subordinates within the family. Policy driven pedagogy towards children’s active involvement will be explored. We will consider available space accessible to children, who are supported by professionals working closely interpreting policy shifts

Taking the Chaste Out of Chastisement: An Analysis of the Sexual Implications of the Corporal Punishment of Children

This article analyses research and theoretical material from sociological and psychological sources to explore the sexual implications of the corporal punishment of children. Through explicating and utilizing a social constructionist perspective, not only are the shortcomings of some of the current arguments against corporal punishment exposed, but such a perspective enables us to additionally understand how such practices can be construed in a sexualized manner, either by the child or the adult, and hence in some cases can be seen to constitute a form of sexual as well as physical abuse