Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Judith T. Wagner

Abstract

Denmark proclaims a strong commitment to the Nordic concept of en god barndom (the good childhood life), with the central tenets of democracy, egalitarianism, emancipation, cooperation, and solidarity. For instance, Danes recognize democracy as a fundamental value in their society. Researchers have acknowledged that democratic principales extend into schools and influence both the structure and the content of the educational system. Although literature and legislation in Denmark reveals this idea of a Lived democracy” in the school, most studies have been designed, carried out, and analyzed by adult researchers, with little opportunity for input from the actual participants– the children themselves. The present study investigates whether children believe they actually experience the components of en god barndom in their schools. I drew upon the opinions and voices of 6th and 8th grade students at a private school in Denmark. Students provided drawings depicting how education takes place, answered questionnaires, and participated in brief interviews to reflect on the most important characteristics of their Danish schooling experience. Overall, responses revealed that students experienced certain characteristics of the The good childhood,” such as democracy, cooperation, and emancipation in their school. However, follow-up interviews revealed that many students questioned the nature and extent of their actual influence within the school setting, as well as, the effectiveness of their pupil’s council.

Comments

WSP Major: Sociology of Education

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