‘Until it ends, you never know…’: Attending to the voice of adolescents who are facing the likely death of a parent

Abstract

Abstract In contrast to much adult-focused and adult-controlled research on the impact of cancer on families, the author's action research project privileges the voice of young people whose parents were seriously ill. Its key findings, as demonstrated in the DVD they produced, were that the young people: box Struggled with the sense of isolation and all-pervasive uncertainty inherent in the life-threatening illness of a parent. box Preferred support and understanding to protection and prevarication. box Disliked delay and deception, preferring to be informed and involved. box Wished to be told the truth as fully and as soon as possible. This article focusses particularly on the teenagers in the research group and presents their voices and views unmediated by adult exegesis. The author argues, on the basis of their evidence, that a clearer recognition of the capacities and competences of young people is needed by all who wish to engage with and support those facing the likely death of a parent.