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Ambivalence towards the Protection of Refugee Children: A Developmental Relational Approach

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  • Jeanette A. Lawrence

    (Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
    Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia)

  • Agnes E. Dodds

    (Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
    Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Ida Kaplan

    (Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
    Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia)

  • Maria M. Tucci

    (Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia)

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the contemporary ambivalence to child migration identified by Jacqueline Bhabha and propose a developmental relational approach that repositions child refugees as active participants and rights-bearers in society. Ambivalence involves tensions between protection of refugee children and protection of national borders, public services and entrenched images. Unresolved ambivalence supports failures to honor the rights of refugee children according to international law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. There is failure to protect and include them in national public services and in international coordination of public health and wellbeing. We identify misrepresentations of childhood and refugeeness that lie behind ambivalence and the equitable organization and delivery of public services for health and wellbeing. With illustrative studies, we propose a developmental relational framework for understanding refugee children’s contributions in the sociocultural environment. Contrary to the image of passive victims, refugee children interact with other people and institutions in the co-construction of situated encounters. A developmental relational understanding of children’s ‘co-actions’ in the social environment provides a foundation for addressing misrepresentations of childhood and refugeeness that deny refugee children protection and inclusion as rights-bearers. We point to directions in research and practice to recognize their rights to thrive and contribute to society.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeanette A. Lawrence & Agnes E. Dodds & Ida Kaplan & Maria M. Tucci, 2022. "Ambivalence towards the Protection of Refugee Children: A Developmental Relational Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1602-:d:738929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Derluyn, Ilse, 2018. "A critical analysis of the creation of separated care structures for unaccompanied refugee minors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 22-29.
    2. Barghadouch, Amina & Skovdal, Morten & Norredam, Marie, 2019. "Do health reception policies in the Nordic region recognize the rights of asylum-seeking and resettled refugee children?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(12), pages 1173-1184.
    3. Stephen A. Matlin & Ozge Karadag & Claudio R. Brando & Pedro Góis & Selma Karabey & Md. Mobarak Hossain Khan & Shadi Saleh & Amirhossein Takian & Luciano Saso, 2021. "COVID-19: Marking the Gaps in Migrant and Refugee Health in Some Massive Migration Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Jeanette A. Lawrence & Agnes E. Dodds & Ida Kaplan & Maria M. Tucci, 2019. "The Rights of Refugee Children and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child," Laws, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-22, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeanette A. Lawrence & Agnes E. Dodds & Ida Kaplan & Maria M. Tucci, 2023. "Recognizing Relational Interactions with Social Institutions in Refugee Children’s Experiences of Intertwining Vulnerability and Agency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-12, September.

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