Doctoral Thesis
Perceptions about the sufficiency of children’s play opportunities in Western Australian communities: A narrative analysis
Murdoch University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60867/00000092
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand people’s perceptions about the sufficiency of children’s play opportunities in Western Australia (WA). Concerns over a decline in children’s unstructured play opportunities raises questions about their ability to actualise their right to play (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989; 2013). The United Nations (UN) recommend that member states introduce legislation around the concept of ‘sufficiency’ (CRC, 2013). Play sufficiency is considered a measure of satisfaction with play opportunities (Barclay & Tawil, 2013). Three case study communities with unique characteristics (semi-rural, middle income; urban, higher income; suburban, lower income) were researched. Children (ages 5-17) (n=41) and parents (n=14) were involved in a series of focus groups. Individual interviews were also conducted with professionals (n=6) working with or on behalf of children. A playwork perspective was adopted; this is a rights-based approach to research and working with children (King & Newstead, 2020). Presenting children’s voice, and ensuring their perspective had equal weight to that of adults was central to the research design (CRC,1989). The study revealed a range of enabling and constraining influences on children’s time and space for play at home, in educational institutions (school and Out of School Hours Care (OSHC), and in neighbourhoods. Some influences were contextual, others were indicative of broader societal attitudes. While many barriers to play were identified, this research also revealed a series of possibilities related to research, advocacy, and workforce development. The thesis concludes with a set of guiding principles and values for assessing and securing play sufficiency in WA communities and beyond.
Details
- Title
- Perceptions about the sufficiency of children’s play opportunities in Western Australian communities: A narrative analysis
- Authors/Creators
- Jonathan Neen
- Contributors
- Sandra Hesterman (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of EducationBarry Down (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Education
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Publisher
- Murdoch University
- Identifiers
- 991005877053107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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