Music as a structuring resource in identity formation processes by adolescents engaging in music therapy—a case study from a Norwegian child welfare setting

Abstract

This chapter presents a case narrative to illustrate various aspects of working with children and adolescents in a Norwegian child welfare context. The sociocultural concept structuring resource is used to discuss the following research question: How can music function as a structuring resource in identity formation processes by adolescents using music therapy in a child welfare context? I present three different strategies that can be seen in relation to preparation of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child-oriented practice (UNCRC). First, I describe music therapy as a person-oriented strategy. Second, I propose a strategy of music therapy as a community-oriented strategy. The third strategy described is music therapy as citizen participation.