We Are The People Podcast
S9-E5: Eoghan Cleary: Protecting Childhood in an Adult World
Eoghan Cleary is a teacher, researcher and campaigner whose work explores the influences shaping young people’s identities, relationships and understanding of sex. In this deeply reflective conversation, Eoghan shares how a frightening childhood experience, struggles with belonging and his discovery of theatre shaped the person he would become. He discusses working with marginalised communities, creating spaces where young people can be vulnerable and the personal experiences that often sit beneath our desire to help others. Eoghan also explains how disclosures from students led him to examine the impact of pornography, smartphones and online culture on young people. He argues that children are being asked to navigate an adult-created world before they have the emotional maturity to understand it, and that the responsibility for protecting them must ultimately sit with adults. At the heart of this episode is a conversation about authenticity, vulnerability and what can happen when a young person feels safe enough to speak honestly, and when an adult is willing to listen and allow what they hear to bring about change. This episode contains discussions of pornography, sexual violence and the experiences of young people. Listener discretion is advised. Let me know your thoughts on this eposide Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
