Escape Capital

This article provides a novel perspective on the phenomenon of youths running away from Norwegian residential childcare institutions, challenging conventional views that attribute such actions to delinquency or pathology. By adopting an experience-near approach, we explore escapes as demonstrations of creative agency and resilience, rather than mere acts of defiance. Drawing on staff observations and accounts from young residents, the study highlights the youths’ cognitive, social, physical, organizational, and emotional capacities to orchestrate their escapes. The article contrasts these firsthand insights with existing literature that often frames escaping as delinquent behaviour or coping mechanisms linked to behavioural problems, mental health, and substance abuse. By mapping the strategies and tactics employed by youth in their escapes, we introduce the concept of ‘escape capital’ to encapsulate the diverse skills and resources necessary for these undertakings, positioning these actions within a capability framework instead of deficiency. This reframing helps to recognize escapes as integral components of institutional life, showcasing the adaptability and inventiveness of youths amidst confinement and adversity, suggesting that the act itself deserves attention beyond pathologization. By shifting the scholarly focus, this research prompts new questions and opens avenues for further empirical inquiries, fostering a more balanced understanding of youths’ agencies and the social phenomena surrounding institutional escapes.