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How exclusion from the public and private realm can negatively effect adolescents’ sense of community belonging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2021

C. Barron
C. Barron*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Carol Barron, School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Dublin City University, Ireland. (Email: carol.barron@dcu.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives:

This paper discusses the issue of adolescent exclusion from the public (playgrounds, beaches, roads) and private realm (homes) and its link to their sense of community belonging, identity, and mental health.

Methods:

This research project employed a rights-based approach, and such a methodology focuses on research with, rather than research about, children and adolescents. In line with this philosophy, a wide range of qualitative participatory methodologies were employed with children and adolescents. In total, 411 children and adolescents (3–17 years) took part in consultation workshops across the county.

Results:

From the age of 11 onwards, children report a sense of ‘not belonging’ to recognised ‘children’s places’ such as playgrounds. Young adolescents report being actively excluded from public and private spaces. The effects of this exclusion are examined in relation to their sense of belonging, identity, and well-being.

Conclusions:

Exclusionary practices appear to be increasing and impacting on younger children in both private and public spaces. This forced exclusion of children and adolescents from the public and private realm challenges their sense of belonging or connectedness which is associated with low self-esteem, high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. A more inclusive, rights-based approach should be employed in all aspects of public realm design that actively seeks and incorporates the views of children and adolescents as well as the more dominant voice of the adult.

Keywords

Adolescentsbelongingconnectednessexclusionpublic and private realm
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 2: Themed Issue: Psychiatric Anthropology , June 2022 , pp. 155 - 162
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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