Stories of growing up amid violence by refugee children of war and children of battered women living in Canada.

PURPOSE

To explore how two groups of children who grew up amid violence "make sense" of their experience. As violence has become a common element of some societies, growing numbers of children have been forced to live in dangerous environments. Although considerable research has been conducted with children who are abused or neglected, the needs of those who witness violence have been largely overlooked.

DESIGN

Critical narrative and descriptive. Data were collected, 1995-1996, in Canada from a convenience sample of 16 refugee children of war and 16 children of battered women.

METHODS

Participants were asked open-ended questions about the violence in their lives, their feelings about what occurred, their thoughts about the reasons for violence, and their ways of surviving and growing. Common themes were identified and validated.

FINDINGS

Despite differences in the children's stories, many parallels were evident. Both groups of youngsters endured pain, suffering, and feelings of betrayal. Both used creative strategies to survive. The way the children endured growing up amid violence was mediated by social, political, and cultural constructions of violence. Because these meanings were unique, violence was experienced in several ways.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the children showed remarkable strength and insight, they face many challenges. Despite a common perception that children are unable to talk about deeply troubling experiences, this research demonstrated that children not only want to discuss their experience, but also welcome the opportunity to do so.