Violence and childhood

Do children experience more violence than adults because they are less powerful?

This and other questions on the effects of violence on childhood were examined at the University of St Andrews yesterday (Monday 21 March 2011).

The one day event, involving academics from as far away as Brazil as well as the Scottish Refugee Council, was hosted by the University’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

‘Violence and the circulation of children’ was the fourth seminar in a series focusing on how violence, particularly war, forces children to move around between households and institutions.

Among the talks included one on ‘Tackling Youth Gang Violence in Glasgow’ and ‘child men’ in Indian slums.

Organiser Professor Alison Watson commented, “Children are an important, though often under-examined, actor in the international system.

“Our aim in this, and other talks in the series is to bring together both academics and practitioners in order to further understanding and policy in this area; to allow for the development of ideas over time; and to facilitate the formation of an intellectual community orientated to international childhood studies.”

The event was organised jointly with colleagues from Birkbeck,  Manchester Metropolitan University, the Open University, and Oxford University.

ENDS

Issued by the Press Office

Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, email [email protected]

Ref: Violence and children 220311