Sweden: Children in unsafe environments and life situations

Abstract

This chapter is based on a project studying children growing up in precarious environments and life situations in Sweden. Data have emerged from the explorative study "Children in precarious life situations". Regardless of Sweden's long tradition in the social welfare field many children have difficulties and do not feel mentally well. The aim of this chapter is to increase the knowledge of children in precarious environments and life situations and to explore the existence of exposed arenas where many children spend their everyday lives. The chapter is based on previously conducted studies, official documents from UNICEF, Save the Children and WHO and on newly published research. The number of children who are maltreated is increasing in spite of the fact that they live in a welfare state. This has been highlighted both in research and the mass media; for some time the injustices and wrongdoing that many children experience have been highlighted. It is evident that despite Sweden's ratification of the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), it seems difficult to follow its intentions. Twenty years after Sweden's ratification of the CRC, it is now high time to listen to the voices of children in order to give them the opportunity of influencing their own lives. Many adults neglect to take responsibility for children's emotional and mental wellbeing. The power of teachers to protect children against harassment, abuse and insulting treatment is undervalued. Children need adults to rely on.