ABSTRACT
This chapter describes an intensive scrutiny of 31 children returning to 24 families. The information produced by both the observation of children’s returns and the structured and in-depth interviews was used in two ways. Firstly, it contributed to a profile of each individual family and the changes that occurred as the return took place. Secondly, both the qualitative and quantitative evidence were used to develop the theoretical perspectives. Some children or relatives skipped what seemed important stages for others, for example the preparations for the homecoming. The experiential evidence provided unique material about respondents’ fears, expectations and adaptations, their need to negotiate role and territory, their perceptions of home and their feelings of being returned. Theoretical generalisation was sought for the qualitative material in the following way. Initially, the material was examined for key concepts and themes that were frequently mentioned or observed and typologies were constructed.
