Szkic autoetnograficzny o dzieciach w drodze

Abstract

The article examines the situation of children and youth in transit at the Polish-Belarusian border, focusing on the violence they face and the ambiguous procedures used to determine their age. These procedures, which rely on bone and dental examinations, are often interpreted to the detriment of young people. This practice, previously discussed in the literature, has been described as "adultification." This concept aptly captures not only the precarious situation of young people but also the ways in which their childhood is perceived—or denied—resulting in the erosion of their rights as children. The author also discusses an artistic project, the play Nabu’s Journey, inspired by a children’s book by Jarosław Mikołajewski. The play aims to raise awareness about the plight of young people at the border and foster dialogue on human solidarity in the face of humanitarian crises.