Sen’s Capability Approach: Children and Well-being Explored through the Use of Photography

Abstract

In this chapter we explore the utility of Sen’s capability approach (CA) with primary school children. Capabilities are conceptualized in collaboration with children using a visual methodology. Photo-voice is a participative approach using photographs to elicit discussions around the photographic stimulus (Wang et al., 1998). Here, it is innovatively employed with children to engage with them and to capture alternative creative framings of wellbeing and capabilities. Sen’s CA is utilized as an open framework (Robeyns, 2003) to visualize how children perceive their own capabilities and potential, both in terms of well-being and readiness to participate and learn in the school environment.1 Indeed, Ballet, Biggeri and Comim (Chapter 2) discuss some of the complexities around children evolving capabilities. We argue that children’s voice is important and is now recognized in policy contexts (e.g. UK Every Child Matters). Moreover, recent global work finds children’s well-being low in Global North contexts (such as the UK).