On caring and a love ethic to address the effects of structural violence on adolescent health

Abstract

Youth care webs and interactions with caring systems are evaluated using Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) methods. This qualitative study used photovoice and interviewing technics with a group of emerging adults to reveal details about their interactions with systems of care, and their nuanced perceptions of the care they receive and give. The variety of settings that youth turn to for care when traditional caring systems fail, and their nuanced understandings of both interpersonal and systemic care were explored. The isolation that structural violence and neoliberal systems of care have had on their communities was revealed in explicit detail. The integral role that YPAR researchers play within youth care networks was discovered through supportive interactions between youth participants and researchers. Using a love ethics approach to YPAR built on trust uncovers participant knowledge that could be missed through non-collaborative approaches.