Paving a Two-Way Street

Encouraging Children’s Participation in a Study on the Physical and Emotional Punishment of Children in Vietnam

Abstract

*Focus on Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific | Reports from the Field

This field report focuses on the successful experiences and challenges in involving children as both researchers and research participants in the study1 of the physical and emotional punishment of children in Vietnam. The study covered 500 children, including street children, and 500 adults from Kinh majority and ethnic minorities in both rural and urban areas in the North, Center and South of Vietnam. The report outlines the challenges that the research team faced in ensuring meaningful child participation. These included cases of teachers requesting that children refrain from providing information about the punishment children receive from their teachers, as well as challenges faced by the research team in facilitating participation from ethnic minority children across language and cultural barriers. The report shares experiences in dealing with these problems, including the formulation of a comprehensive ethical strategy prior to embarking on the research; the design and adaptation of research methods; and facilitation styles suited to particular target groups.