From Object to Praxis: A Narrative of Shifts in Child Well-Being Research

Abstract

This paper presents a broad outline of intellectual developments in child well-being research. Four intellectual currents are identified, the ‘objective’, ‘subjective’, ‘standpoint’ and ‘praxeological’ approaches. The narrative developed emphasises the role that critical contests over epistemological, ontological and methodological issues serve for developments in research. Drawing upon the various approaches identified, the paper concludes by discussing well-being in terms of social integration and system integration, advancing a concept of well-being that is nether relativist nor culturally monopolizing.