Violence in children’s narration

Abstract

The article examines how children exposed to violence in their own homes talk about violence and what they say about it. The aim is to highlight the methodological challenges of studying narratives told by young children, and to present findings concerning children's narratives about violence. The data were collected at a shelter for battered women run by the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters. It consists of videotapes shot at the sessions (20) of two therapy groups for children who have been exposed to domestic violence. The participating seven children were 4-9 years old. The analysis aimed to look at the words and expressions used by the children to communicate about violence. The children's narration reveals a variety of violent relationships and demonstrates context-bound rules governing violence. The remarks suggest further research in this area.