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Agency in Institutionalised Youth: A Critical Inquiry
Author(s) -
Polvere Lauren
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
children and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0860
pISSN - 0951-0605
DOI - 10.1111/chso.12048
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , negotiation , qualitative research , sociology , criminology , youth studies , psychology , public relations , political science , gender studies , social science
This qualitative study examined the perspectives of formerly institutionalised youth labelled with psychiatric disabilities through the lens of agency. Rooted in the medical model, much research on institutionalised youth describes clinical symptoms and behaviour problems, locating the source of these problems within the individual. To address the lack of critical inquiry regarding the transactions between youth and institutions, this article examines youth perspectives on institutional practices. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with formerly institutionalised youth and young adults. The findings suggest that youth draw from agentic strategies to negotiate oppressive institutional practices. Implications for research and practice are discussed.