Repair,stigmatisation or tolerance? Former girl soldiers’ experience of their ‘homecoming’

This paper examines how 12 former girl soldiers in eastern Congo experience their social reintegration back into their families and communities. A successful social reintegration process is conceptualised as one which involves repaired relationships characterised by positive emotions towards and social acceptance of former girl soldiers. Dijker and Koomen’s theory on social control mechanisms is used to analyse the data, and attitudes and treatment experienced by the girls are categorised as repair, stigmatisation or tolerance. Individual interviews with former girl soldiers paint a picture of a homecoming characterised by frequent stigmatisation, some repair and little tolerance both from family and community. Although some repair processes are taking place, many former girl soldiers experience being perceived as a threat to social norms as well as to health and safety. This may partly be explained by the devastating imprint war and armed conflict frequently leaves on people and societies. War appears to breed more authoritarian values and fearful responses to objectionable or deviant behaviour and conditions, and seems to put collective values of caring and sharing under pressure.     

Deliberative Decision-Making on the Norwegian County Social Welfare Board: The Experiences of Expert and Lay Members

This article examine the entire population of expert and lay decision-makers on the Norwegian County Social Welfare Board, with 57% responding (n = 1598), asked whether they experience being fully informed about the facts in the case; are equal partners in the decision-making team, and if their arguments are taken seriously. Findings show they were highly satisfied with the proceeding and their role in it, and they positively highlighted the judge's role in the decision-making process. However, expert and lay persons are not provided with documents in a timely manner, and some lay members felt subordinate to the other decision-makers.