Talk it out: toward a narrative theory of community conferencing |
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Authors: | Jennifer J. Langdon |
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Affiliation: | Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Towson University, Baltimore, MD, USA |
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Abstract: | I advance a narrative theory of restorative justice-practice – more specifically a narrative theory of community conferencing practice. I contend that positioning theory, a particular type of narrative theory, enhances the understanding of how community conferencing works. I argue that positioning theory offers a significant advancement of the current theories of community conferencing practice – affect theory and the theory of reintegrative shaming. In order to make this argument, I provide a brief history of the development of the practice of community conferencing, followed by a discussion of the current predominant theories of community conferencing practice. Then, I discuss the value of narrative theory, with a specific focus on the utility of positioning theory. Finally, I apply positioning theory to an understanding of community conferencing practice and suggest areas for future investigation of the utility of the theory. |
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Keywords: | Community conferencing restorative justice narrative justice-practice theory of practice positioning theory |
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