ABSTRACT
This book is the first its kind to offer an innovative examination of the intersecting influences, contexts, and challenges within the field of children’s dark tourism. It also outlines novel conceptualizations and methods for scholarship in this overlooked field.
Presently, tourism research, and in dark tourism specifically, relies primarily on adult-centered theories and data collection methods. However, these approaches are inadequate for understanding and developing children’s experiences and perspectives. This book seeks to inform and inspire research on children’s experiences of dark tourism. Designed to appeal to students and scholars, it brings together insights from leading experts. The book focuses on five themes, to explore the conceptual and historic origins of children’s dark tourism, developmental contexts, child perspectives, specific contexts relevant to children’s encounters, and methodological approaches.
This book is aimed at an international array of scholars and students with inherent research interests in the contemporary commodification of death and ‘difficult heritage’ within the visitor economy. Thus, the book will provide a multi-disciplinary scope within the fields of history, heritage studies, childhood studies, psychology, education, sociology, human geography, and tourism studies. The volume is primarily intended for undergraduate and postgraduate study, as well as scholars and tourism professionals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|39 pages
Dark Tourism and Childhood
part II|58 pages
Children as Tourists
chapter 5|13 pages
Development of Death Concepts
part III|42 pages
Dark Tourism and Interpretation
chapter 8|14 pages
Understanding Children's Visits to Difficult Heritage Sites
part IV|90 pages
Children within Dark Tourism
chapter 12|15 pages
‘Deconstructing Dark History and Difficult Heritage’
chapter 14|14 pages
Young People and Dark Commemorative Events
chapter 15|13 pages
Identity and belonging in a dark heritage destination
part V|61 pages
Dark Tourism Research and Children