The Capabilities Approach and Childhood (with Nico Brando and Graciela Tonon)
Channel: Children in Theory
Date: 2023-11-07

Standing on the introduction to the capabilities approach as a theoretical framework, Graciela Tonon and Nico Brando discuss how the Capabilities Approach changes our understanding of childhood, how this affects our research methods and practices, and our role as researchers. Moreover, the conversation looks at the tension between freedom and protection during childhood, the importance of valuing freedom, and various issues on social justice and vulnerability of children.  

Among the issues addressed are the following questions:

Children: From Objects to Subjects of Research
New Conceptions of Childhood, and their active role in research
The need for novel research practices and commitments to do justice to children as subjects of research.
Freedom and Protections during childhood.
Children’s voice, capabilities and functionings.
Social vulnerability and social justice of children in the global south.

Brando, N. and Tonon, G. (2023). The Capabilities Approach and Childhood. In N. Brando, D. Lawson and H. Stalford (eds.) Children in Theory: Theoretical Methods and Approaches to the Study of Childhood.  Online Masterclass Series. University of Liverpool.

For more information on the Capabilities Approach and the Children in Theory series, follow the link below:
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-and-social-sciences/research/research-themes/children-childhood/children-in-theory/capabilities/