Narrative Approaches as a Supplementary Source of Knowledge on Marginalized Groups

Reidun Follesø; Jorid Krane  Hanssen

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.6.2.06

Authors

Reidun Follesø Bodø University College, Norway
Jorid Krane Hanssen Bodø University College, Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.6.2.06

Keywords:

Narrative approaches, Autobiographies, Youth in care, Youth in gay and lesbian families

Abstract

This article reflects upon two different research projects that involve narratives from youth in care and youth growing up in families with gay and lesbian parents. We argue that these narrative approaches may offer a supplementary source of knowledge on marginalized groups that often seem hard to reach. The first method involves the participant and researcher collaborating to convert an oral narrative into a written one. In the second, the participants write an autobiographical narrative by themselves, covering themes specified by a researcher. The article is structured so that we first look at the processes of co-creating narratives and collecting autobiographical testimonies. We then introduce the two different methodological approaches by referring to empirical examples. Finally we reflect on the methodological and ethical challenges that occurred during this research.

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Author Biographies

Reidun Follesø, Bodø University College, Norway

Reidun Follesø is Associate Professor of Social Work at Bodø University College, Norway. She received her PhD from Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Her general areas of specialization are youth research, child protection and participation. The current focus of her research is youth at risk.
Jorid Krane Hanssen, Bodø University College, Norway

Jorid Krane Hanssen is an Assistant Professor and a Doctoral Candidate in Sociology at Bodø University College, Norway. She teaches both students of residental care and social work, as well as students of Sociology. Her research focuses are especially on issues related to families and family diversity, with a particular focus on samesex families and their children and adolescents.

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