'Dangerous Minds'? Deconstructing Counter‐Terrorism Discourse, Radicalisation and the 'Psychological Vulnerability' of Muslim Children and Young People in Britain. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coppock, Vicki; McGovern, Mark
• Is Part Of: Children & society. Volume 28:Number 3(2014:May)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Children -- Care and hygiene -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Children -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; 362.70941
• DOI: 10.1111/chso.12060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-0605

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="chso12060-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Current British Government strategies to counter terrorism (exemplified in the <italic>Prevent</italic> policy and <italic>Channel</italic> programme) are based upon a problematic fusion of certain dominant explanatory models of the 'causes of terrorism' (specifically, 'psychological vulnerability' to 'radicalisation') with discourses of 'child protection/safeguarding'. Derived from particular mainstream traditions of social scientific epistemology and inquiry, these knowledge paradigms 'legitimise' a pre‐emptive, interventionist and securitising approach that affects the lives of young British Muslims. The aim of this article is to challenge some of the assumptions that underpin the understanding of 'radicalisation', 'psychological vulnerability' and 'child protection' evidenced in these state practices and policies.</p> </abstract>