Research with children

Autoethnographic reflections of intergenerational relations

Authors

• Johanna Kiili Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Johanna Moilanen Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Tiina Lehto-Lundén Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Anu-Riina Svenlin Uumajan yliopisto
• Sirpa Kannasoja Jyväskylän yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.119345

Keywords:

intergenerational relations, collaborative autoethnography, epistemic reflexivity, situational ethical reasoning

Abstract

This article analyses intergenerational relations between children and researchers by using autoethnography as the research method. Bourdieu’s notion of epistemic reflexivity is used here to refer to the critical appraisal of the positions and relations of the research participants. The existential, epistemic and ethical-juridical dimensions of generational relations were also examined. The research data comprises the written autoethnographic reflections and transcriptions from the workshops in which the researchers worked with children. The analysis highlights the importance of viewing children’s knowledge as existentially valuable as well as the importance of understanding the responsibilities and ethical discretion of researchers. Although researchers define how children participate in research, researchers are nevertheless dependent on children’s willingness to participate in research activities. Research encounters with children, especially when rapid decisions are required, are influenced by the researchers’ generational position, professional knowledge and personal history. The results emphasise the importance of situational ethical reasoning.