Participation in Emergencies: Children's Perspective

J Prev Interv Community. 2015;43(4):266-78. doi: 10.1080/10852352.2014.973303.

Abstract

This article has as its objective the identification and analysis of child participation, from the point of view of the children, in the village of La Garita-Chincha, close to the epicenter of the 2007 earthquake. Ten children (six girls and four boys), aged between 8 and 12 years old, took part in the study. The results allow us to see the children as owners of capabilities to develop diagnostics about their rights, resources, and perceived needs. Furthermore, in their participation, they show their capacity to express opinions and take positions. Also, it was shown that children develop tasks to take care of the private sphere and make suggestions to solve their perceived needs. Finally, children also identified that there are limitations for the promotion of their participation.

Keywords: capabilities; child participation; earthquake; limitations; rights.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude*
  • Child
  • Community Participation / psychology*
  • Earthquakes
  • Emergencies / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peru
  • Power, Psychological
  • Social Participation / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors