What do we mean by 'wellbeing'? - and why might it matter? / Gill Ereaut & Rebecca Whiting; Linguistic Landscapes.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Whiting, Rebecca.

Ereaut, Gill.

Series:

Research Report ; DCSF-RW073.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

21 p.

Place of Publication:

[S l.] : Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2008.

Summary:

Abstract: There is significant ambiguity around the definition, usage and function of the word ‘wellbeing’,not only within DCSF but in the public policy realm, and in the wider world. This has implicationsfor DCSF. Essentially, wellbeing is a cultural construct and represents a shifting set of meanings- wellbeing is no less than what a group or groups of people collectively agree makes ‘a goodlife’.The meaning and function of a term like ‘wellbeing’ not only changes through time, but is open toboth overt and subtle dispute and contest. There is evidence that the discourse of ‘wellbeing’ -how, for what purposes, and with what effects the term is being used - is at present particularlyunstable in the UK. Given the importance of the term to DCSF’s policy and communications, werecommend a low key but deliberate strategy to manage the DCSF position within this ambiguityand instability.

ISBN:

9781847752710