Research at York St John (RaY) is an institutional repository. It supports the principles of open... more Research at York St John (RaY) is an institutional repository. It supports the principles of open access by making the research outputs of the University available in digital form.
Summary: In this paper, we appeal to professionals and others to take a more considered approach ... more Summary: In this paper, we appeal to professionals and others to take a more considered approach to the increasing panic relating to the touching of children of all ages. We attempt to disrupt the current trend by drawing attention to that which is currently being deferred in professional practice, yet which is evident in many formal and informal guidelines. We suggest that the contradictions we identify throughout the paper result more from a culture of fear than one of caring. We draw on our own small-scale earlier research experiences, and relevant and related literature in the area, but also note a scarcity of both in the UK context. We conclude that touching, at least in anglicized societies, has become an area that now requires fine judgements dependent on the interactive processes between all parties and that a broad-based analysis is clearly required. But we consider hesitation and ambiguity to be unavoidable in ethical decision making, something to be encouraged and not avoided by the search for blueprints, in our attempts to manage the perceived ‘risks’. Findings: Current practice is more dependent on fears of accusation and litigation than any concern for a child. Most child care workers ‘know’ this on the one hand, but nevertheless still attempt to justify their actions as sensible decision making. For example, a play group leader will claim he or she can’t put a plaster on a child because of a potential allergy: this is in spite of completed forms requesting information relating to allergies for each child, and allergies cease to be an issue anyway when a child is taken to the medical box and instructed from a distance on how to apply a plaster themselves. Contradictory accounts such as this are abundant in this area, and we suggest that many workers are behaving more like ‘victims’ than professionals. Applications: This paper is concerned with drawing attention to the need for all professionals working with children and young people of all ages to question their current and future decision making in relation to the wide range of touching practices that occur on a daily basis. Professionals should make their own mind up in relation to ethical matters, remembering that the ‘radicals’ of today become the ‘liberals’ of tomorrow.
Monitoring Change in Education Series Editor: J. Mark Halstead University of Huddersfield, UK Cha... more Monitoring Change in Education Series Editor: J. Mark Halstead University of Huddersfield, UK Change is a key characteristic of the worlds of business, education and industry and the rapidity of change underlines an urgent need to analyze, evaluate and, where appropriate, ...
Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, citizenship education has been revived as a theo... more Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, citizenship education has been revived as a theoretical discourse and focus for pedagogical enquiry, with specific concern for practice in schools. These have taken particular directions where citizenship has sometimes ...
In this inaugural issue of Power and Education, I have decided to include book reviews written by... more In this inaugural issue of Power and Education, I have decided to include book reviews written by members of the editorial board so that readers can get a sense of what we consider to be key issues in education. I hope these reviews prove interesting and useful for our readers, and I also hope they serve as an inspiration for people who might like to contribute reviews to future issues. Please contact me!
This report presents the main evaluation findings arising from five pilot projects, supported by ... more This report presents the main evaluation findings arising from five pilot projects, supported by NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), to test different ways of developing an awareness of risk-taking in young people or the professionals who ...
We need to trust people and institutions, values and truths. But where should we turn to find whi... more We need to trust people and institutions, values and truths. But where should we turn to find which are trustworthy? Does trusting make us vulnerable to abuse? Is it safe for learners-the children, young people and adults in the world of contempory education-to trust their ...
Research at York St John (RaY) is an institutional repository. It supports the principles of open... more Research at York St John (RaY) is an institutional repository. It supports the principles of open access by making the research outputs of the University available in digital form.
Summary: In this paper, we appeal to professionals and others to take a more considered approach ... more Summary: In this paper, we appeal to professionals and others to take a more considered approach to the increasing panic relating to the touching of children of all ages. We attempt to disrupt the current trend by drawing attention to that which is currently being deferred in professional practice, yet which is evident in many formal and informal guidelines. We suggest that the contradictions we identify throughout the paper result more from a culture of fear than one of caring. We draw on our own small-scale earlier research experiences, and relevant and related literature in the area, but also note a scarcity of both in the UK context. We conclude that touching, at least in anglicized societies, has become an area that now requires fine judgements dependent on the interactive processes between all parties and that a broad-based analysis is clearly required. But we consider hesitation and ambiguity to be unavoidable in ethical decision making, something to be encouraged and not avoided by the search for blueprints, in our attempts to manage the perceived ‘risks’. Findings: Current practice is more dependent on fears of accusation and litigation than any concern for a child. Most child care workers ‘know’ this on the one hand, but nevertheless still attempt to justify their actions as sensible decision making. For example, a play group leader will claim he or she can’t put a plaster on a child because of a potential allergy: this is in spite of completed forms requesting information relating to allergies for each child, and allergies cease to be an issue anyway when a child is taken to the medical box and instructed from a distance on how to apply a plaster themselves. Contradictory accounts such as this are abundant in this area, and we suggest that many workers are behaving more like ‘victims’ than professionals. Applications: This paper is concerned with drawing attention to the need for all professionals working with children and young people of all ages to question their current and future decision making in relation to the wide range of touching practices that occur on a daily basis. Professionals should make their own mind up in relation to ethical matters, remembering that the ‘radicals’ of today become the ‘liberals’ of tomorrow.
Monitoring Change in Education Series Editor: J. Mark Halstead University of Huddersfield, UK Cha... more Monitoring Change in Education Series Editor: J. Mark Halstead University of Huddersfield, UK Change is a key characteristic of the worlds of business, education and industry and the rapidity of change underlines an urgent need to analyze, evaluate and, where appropriate, ...
Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, citizenship education has been revived as a theo... more Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, citizenship education has been revived as a theoretical discourse and focus for pedagogical enquiry, with specific concern for practice in schools. These have taken particular directions where citizenship has sometimes ...
In this inaugural issue of Power and Education, I have decided to include book reviews written by... more In this inaugural issue of Power and Education, I have decided to include book reviews written by members of the editorial board so that readers can get a sense of what we consider to be key issues in education. I hope these reviews prove interesting and useful for our readers, and I also hope they serve as an inspiration for people who might like to contribute reviews to future issues. Please contact me!
This report presents the main evaluation findings arising from five pilot projects, supported by ... more This report presents the main evaluation findings arising from five pilot projects, supported by NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), to test different ways of developing an awareness of risk-taking in young people or the professionals who ...
We need to trust people and institutions, values and truths. But where should we turn to find whi... more We need to trust people and institutions, values and truths. But where should we turn to find which are trustworthy? Does trusting make us vulnerable to abuse? Is it safe for learners-the children, young people and adults in the world of contempory education-to trust their ...
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Papers by Heather Piper