Locating the child centrally as subject in research : towards a child interpretation of well-being

This paper explores the notion of the 'subject' in studies of childrens subjective wellbeing. Increasingly, those researching children's well-being are acknowledging children as agents and including them as participants in research in order to tap into, and report on, their subjectivities. We explore this trend to show how dominant approaches privilege an 'objectivist' approach to subjectivity that informs epistemological and methodological approaches and has implications for policy and practice. An alternative approach is discussed which places children centrally as subjects