Research aim

The aim of the research is to explore how children from lone mother households view the gender of
the adult befriender with whom they are matched. The children's views will be analysed in relation to:

a) how they see the befriender role and
b) whether they consider that being matched with a male befriender might be of positive
benefit (the idea of positive benefit is defined as a substitute, complementary or different
form of adult-child relationship to a child's existing relationships)

Understanding children's views is of value to practitioners working with children but the research
will also inform theorisations of childhood, friendship and adult-child relations and the transmission
of gender identities.

The specific objectives are to:

1  Examine children's expectations and experiences of their relationship with an adult befriender within
    the context of:

a) the nature of their existing contacts and relationships with adults and
b) the circumstances of their referral to a befriending project

2 Contribute to academic theorising on the nature of gendered child-adult relations and the use of
   children's perspectives to develop understandings of childhood.

3 Aid befriending projects in using the perspectives of children to develop their services.