Camphill Communities in Disparate Socio-Legal Environments: Negotiating Community Life for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Germany and the United States

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2006-06
Authors
Christensen, Janelle
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Abstract
The following work is a case study analysis of a global program called Camphill Communities, which provide village/community centered living and working environments for adults and children with developmental disabilities. This project is specifically examines the disparate socio-legal environments with which Camphill Communities must contend in Germany and the United States (US). The two communities selected for this research are Camphill Lehenhof, located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, and Camphill California, located in Santa Cruz County, California. The case study analysis of Lehenhof and Camphill California included research on the philosophy on which the Camphill Communities were based (Anthroposophy) as well as the local and national legal codes. In addition, a minimum of one month of participant observation was carried out in each location. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with the staff (termed “coworkers”) to determine their understanding of the law and how they knowingly altered their behavior to accommodate it. Participant observation coupled with ethnographic interviews also elucidated the “living law” and “norms of decision” within the Camphill Communities. The contrasting legal regulations and cultural expectations of each respective country have a significant impact on the communities’ internal structure and philosophy. Future research is recommended that might include interviews with individuals with developmental disabilities, in accordance with Human Rights Regulations.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)--Universidad del País Vasco, 2006.
Oñati International Institute for Sociology of Law
Keywords
anthroposophy, developmental disabilities, law, legal norms, Baden-Württemberg, California, medical anthropology, Ethnology, US, Germany
Citation
Christensen, Janelle. 2006. "Camphill Communities in Disparate Socio-Legal Environments": Negotiating Community Life for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Germany and the United States. M.A. thesis, Oñati International Institute for Sociology of Law, Universidad del País Vasco.
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http://www.iisj.net/antbuspre.asp?cod=3342&nombre=3342&nodo=&orden=Verdadero&sesion=1347
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