The Relevance of Narrative Research with Children Who Witness War and Children Who Witness Woman Abuse

Summary Children throughout the world have many opportunities to witness violence, in the home and on the battlefield. While the experiences of children of war and children of battered women vary considerably, their stories are, in some senses, remarkably similar. Both groups witnessed a multitude of atrocities, and almost all endured at least some degree of loss, uprooting, and separation. Despite the similarities, however, there are significant differences. Most notably, the children of war experienced their pain and suffering collectively, with family and friends who loved them and who they loved in return. In contrast, the children of battered women suffered alone, often going to elaborate lengths to ensure that others not learn about the horror in their homes. In this article, findings from a recent critical narrative study with these two groups are presented. The sample consisted of 16 children of war and 16 children of battered women, ages 10-17. The relevance of narrative research with this population is discussed and implications for researchers and clinicians are presented.