European Association of Social Anthropologists
EASA Conference 2012: Uncertainty and Disquiet
Nanterre University, France, 10/07/2012 - 13/07/2012
The Call for Papers is now open. It will close on Nov 28th 2011.
Workshop 042:
"Uncertain beginnings: rethinking infanticide and end of life decision-making in infants"
Convenors:
Jónína Einarsdóttir (University of Iceland)
Aaron R. Denham (Macquarie University)
Abstract:
Anthropology has had somewhat troubled history with infanticide. Many anthropologists who have encountered infanticide practices during their fieldwork remain silent (for various reasons), or briefly comment on them as being unproblematic, routine, or expected because of economic and environmental conditions. While researching and representing a sensitive topic like infanticide is challenging, minimized or decontextualized accounts do little to improve our understandings. Unfortunately, experience-near accounts and detailed ethnographic descriptions, the very material needed to theorize and enhance our understanding of infanticide practices, are rare. Definitions of infanticide are also uncertain. Frequently described as the killing of a newborn or infant, scholars have expanded it to include the killing of children through direct, violent acts, or indirectly through passive forms, such as neglect and the withholding or withdrawing of care. Theoretically, infanticide is framed as an adaptive behavior, pathological act, or as an attempt to restore social order. In some societies, infanticide is an accepted practice and not regarded as murder. In other contexts, medical considerations regarding postpartum complications permit a lesser sentence for infanticide than homicide. The purpose of this panel is to revisit infanticide, broadly defined. Papers that review former anthropological research on infanticide, reconsider the definition of infanticide, offer detailed ethnographic examples, deconstruct or propose innovative theories, and present family experiences and decision-making are welcome. Papers concerning fetal screening and treatments as well as advanced neonatal intensive care, particularly preterm births and end-of-life decisions, are encouraged, as are those addressing definitions and concepts such as beginnings of life and personhood.
To propose a paper for this workshop please go to:
http://www.nomadit.co.uk/easa/easa2012/panels.php5?PanelID=1249
Workshop 103:
"Children and youth exploring uncertain realities"
Convenors:
Anna Streissler (University of Vienna)
Spyros Spyrou (European University Cyprus)
Abstract:
Children and youth especially seem to face uncertain realities.
Personally and collectively they are in structurally weak positions in
society. They often need to make far-reaching decisions about their
future lifecourse (concerning e.g. education, employment, partners,
peers, sex, health, lifestyle) and their views on life may quickly
change. At the same time, many decisions are made for them by their
families, their educators, politics etc.. For many, peer pressure and
consumption trends also play vital roles. We therefore argue that their
realities are especially uncertain and especially varied (or is that an
adult point of view?). This may be even more so in cases of conflict,
violence and poverty.
Despite these manifold constraints,
children and youth are known to be pro-actively dealing with these
uncertain situations, exploring creative forms of meaning-making and
reinterpretation and thereby developing multifaceted competencies and
knowledge in different socio-cultural contexts.
We are inviting contributions on two subtopics:
1) Ethnographies ON children/youth as exploring uncertain realities.
2)
Ethnographies BY children/youth, that is, knowledge produced
systematically by children/youth in certain contexts (usually framed by
adults) exploring their own lifeworlds and those of their peers.
How do children/youth play with realities and (un)certainties, e.g. in "second life" and other media environments?
How do children/youth react to and make sense of uncertain realities influenced by violence?
How does research carried out by children/youth change their perception of realities and (un)certainties?
We explicitly invite young researchers to share their works-in-progress and results in our workshop.
Chair: Nadja Rossmanith
To propose a paper for this workshop please go to:
See more workshops clicking here.
