Beyond marginalisation: cultivating care by leaning into the voices of young advocates

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of our analysis is to give voice to young change agents in tourism host communities. Drawing on a braided narrative analysis, we present the narratives of three young people engaged in advocacy work in three different countries. Our analysis is emergent from research with rather than on young people across three countries on three different continents (Canada, Australia, and Scotland). Our analysis explores the nexus between two foundational theories we use as a lens for understanding the narratives shared by our informants, including a feminist ethic of care and ‘childist’ ontological understanding of children as moral agents capable of ethical decision-making and drivers of change. Our braided narrative analysis unearths themes in relation to the work of our informants based on the past, present, and future, including recognising problems in the system; leading and activating change; and young people demonstrating courage, calling for inclusion, and confronting barriers. We conclude with a discussion on the practical implications of our work to intentionally include, make space for, normalise, and compensate the work of young people.