CFP – “Child migrants or ‘third culture kids’? Approaches to children and privileged mobility”

I would like to invite you to propose papers to the panel
“Child migrants or ‘third culture kids’? Approaches to children and privileged mobility”
in the EASA conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on 31st July – 3rd August, 2014.
Best regards, Mari Korpela

Child migrants or ‘third culture kids’? Approaches to children and privileged mobility
Convenors: Mari Korpela (University of Tampere) and Anne-Meike Fechter (University of Sussex)

Short Abstract
This panel broadens the analytical framework of ‘child migration’ to include those economically and socially privileged and critically considers the theoretical framework of ‘third culture kids’. The papers present ethnographic studies and theoretical reflections on privileged child migrants.

Long Abstract
The relationship between children and transnational mobility is often conceptualised in two rather disparate frameworks. The first focuses on comparatively disenfranchised or disadvantaged children -independent child migrants, those who move with their migrant families or children ‘left behind’- and debates tend to focus on how their welfare, education or livelihoods are affected by mobility. At the same time, a rather different paradigm is invoked in relation to comparatively affluent and privileged children: the notion of ‘third culture kids’ (Pollock and van Reken 2001) is perhaps the most influential one in this respect. For anthropologists, however, this is a problematic term as it seems to assume static cultures. Moreover, despite a wealth of educational literature on this topic, studies are rarely underpinned by in-depth ethnographic research that extends beyond international schools to include family, peers, or host societies. The aim of this panel is to broaden the analytical framework of ‘child migration’ to include those economically and socially privileged and to critically consider the theoretical framework of ‘third culture kids’ and its applications. We also want to address, both analytically and empirically, the presumed privilege of expatriate children. We welcome ethnographic studies of privileged child migrants leading to theoretical reflections on these issues.

Discussant: Vered Amit

To read more about the conference theme, go here: http://www.easaonline.org/conferences/easa2014/theme.shtml.

Paper proposals must be made to specific panels via the ‘Propose a paper’ link found beneath the panel abstract on that panel’s webpage.
http://www.nomadit.co.uk/easa/easa2014/panels.php5?PanelID=3049

Proposals should consist of:
a paper title
authors/co-authors
a short abstract of fewer than 300 characters
a long abstract of fewer than 250 words.

The CFP is open until February 27th.