Using interviews to understand parent and family perspectives of the August 2011 London riots

This article presents findings from interviews with London parents and families, to explore their perspective of the August 2011 London riots in the UK. This article is based on a PhD thesis where the researcher adopted a critical position on constructions of parent‐blaming within political rhetoric. A separate paper (forthcoming, 2016) presents clinical implications developed from the research findings. The research was influenced by systemic and narrative therapy approaches. Nine parents and three young people, from five families across three London boroughs, were interviewed together to explore how they constructed the riots. A Foucauldian‐informed thematic analysis identified themes of inequality and exclusion, rioting as a criminal threat, youth as problematic, parenting and morality, and reclaiming normality. These themes highlighted discourses of crime, punishment, parenting and youth, the relevance of socio‐political factors, parent‐blaming and community resources within parent and family constructions of the 2011 London riots. Practitioner points Support inclusion of the perspective of parents and families in academic literature, clinical discussion and debates on the 2011 London riots Highlight discourses of crime, punishment, parenting and youth from parent and family constructions of the 2011 London riots
Source: Journal of Family Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research