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"If We Reintegrate Six Babies, Someone Else Will Institutionalise Eight": A Discourse Analysis of NGO Workers' Constructions of Alternative Care of Children in Cambodia

Clark, Fiona LU (2014) MIDM19 20141
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This thesis explored alternative care of children in Cambodia through the view of employees of non-governmental organisations. Preliminary research revealed a misappropriation of the word orphanage to describe a place, not for orphans, but where poor families in Cambodia take children for care. Thus, the language of alternative care became the topic of interest and was critically examined through discourse analysis. The research was guided by Personal Construct Theory, which provided a framework and method for inquiry. Using a combination of structured and semi-structured interviews, this thesis elicited and analysed the personal constructs of employees of non-governmental organisations across Cambodia and compared and contrasted these... (More)
This thesis explored alternative care of children in Cambodia through the view of employees of non-governmental organisations. Preliminary research revealed a misappropriation of the word orphanage to describe a place, not for orphans, but where poor families in Cambodia take children for care. Thus, the language of alternative care became the topic of interest and was critically examined through discourse analysis. The research was guided by Personal Construct Theory, which provided a framework and method for inquiry. Using a combination of structured and semi-structured interviews, this thesis elicited and analysed the personal constructs of employees of non-governmental organisations across Cambodia and compared and contrasted these with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s policy and the United Nations guidelines on alternative care. The key finding was a pervasive discrepancy between discourse and on the ground reality, as evidenced by the respondents’ constructions. While some respondents criticized the government for weak implementation of alternative care standards, underlying many hindrances was the presence of hundreds of non-governmental organisations working outside the law and implementing fragmented and often contradictory alternative care programs. A longitudinal study was recommended to better examine the discourse, how it is changing, and how to close the gap between discourse and reality. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Clark, Fiona LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20141
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Alternative care of children, non-governmental organisations, personal constructs, Cambodia, discourse analysis
language
English
id
4438756
date added to LUP
2014-08-06 09:54:09
date last changed
2014-08-06 09:54:09
@misc{4438756,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explored alternative care of children in Cambodia through the view of employees of non-governmental organisations. Preliminary research revealed a misappropriation of the word orphanage to describe a place, not for orphans, but where poor families in Cambodia take children for care. Thus, the language of alternative care became the topic of interest and was critically examined through discourse analysis. The research was guided by Personal Construct Theory, which provided a framework and method for inquiry. Using a combination of structured and semi-structured interviews, this thesis elicited and analysed the personal constructs of employees of non-governmental organisations across Cambodia and compared and contrasted these with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s policy and the United Nations guidelines on alternative care. The key finding was a pervasive discrepancy between discourse and on the ground reality, as evidenced by the respondents’ constructions. While some respondents criticized the government for weak implementation of alternative care standards, underlying many hindrances was the presence of hundreds of non-governmental organisations working outside the law and implementing fragmented and often contradictory alternative care programs. A longitudinal study was recommended to better examine the discourse, how it is changing, and how to close the gap between discourse and reality.}},
  author       = {{Clark, Fiona}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{"If We Reintegrate Six Babies, Someone Else Will Institutionalise Eight": A Discourse Analysis of NGO Workers' Constructions of Alternative Care of Children in Cambodia}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}