Children’s narrative identity formation: Towards a childist narrative theology of praxis

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Children’s narrative identity formation: Towards a childist narrative theology of praxis
 
Creator Botha, Jozine G. Yates, Hannelie Kotze, Manitza
 
Subject — adultism; childism; children; narrative identity formation; pastoral care; praxis
Description This article explores children’s narrative identity formation and the impact of adult–child relationships on shaping a child’s narrative. The formation of identity in all children is vulnerable to a culture of ‘adultism’, wherein the authority wielded by adults can potentially subject children to abuse and neglect. Consequently, adultism has the aptitude to hinder the constructive development of a life-affirming identity in children. The primary objective of this article is to develop a childist narrative theology of praxis methodology, aimed at raising consciousness and educating adults on both life-denying and life-giving ways of engaging in the process of children’s narrative identity formation.To achieve this goal, the methodology is developed by adapting Denise Ackermann’s ‘feminist theology of praxis’ to focus specifically on children. The application of feminist theory principles is deemed relevant to the social standing of children as it aligns with the broader goal of liberating oppressed groups, whether women or children. Additionally, John Wall’s work is employed to elucidate the terms ‘childist’ and ‘childism’ as interpretive frameworks. Positioned within the scientific domain of Practical Theology, this study seeks to transform conditions that impede human flourishing into opportunities for positive change.The research objectives determine that a literature review will be suitable to gather essential information for the formulation of a childist narrative theology of praxis. This review, characterised as explorative and descriptive, is conducted within the field of Practical Theology.Contribution: The significance of this study is underscored by its exploration and description of the pastoral functions of consciousness, awareness-raising, and education concerning adult–child relations. By scrutinising these pastoral functions, the emphasis is placed on the proactive, preventive, and universal aspects of pastoral care in the context of children, thereby contributing valuable insights to the discourse.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2024-04-25
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/hts.v80i1.9575
 
Source HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies; Vol 80, No 1 (2024); 9 pages 2072-8050 0259-9422
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9575/26917 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9575/26918 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9575/26919 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9575/26920
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Jozine G. Botha, Hannelie Yates, Manitza Kotzé https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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