Compelled by an Emotional Economy of Care: Explorations of the Youth Justice Student ‘Career’

This article provides insights into a project involving youth justice undergraduates learning a range of social theory to inform reflexive explorations of ‘career’. Such exploration involved scrutinising personal operationalisation of ‘career’ and sociological factors that influence career motivation both retrospectively and anticipatorily. The analysis finds that students feel compelled by an emotional economy of care towards youth justice work; the overcoming of turbulent life events that now requires an emotional return. Such findings provide useful insights for future policy, pedagogy and practice to aid a ‘children first’ approach to critical reflective practice.