Social Justice

Mary E. Walsh & Katrina A. Tufaro

Social justice is becoming a significant focus of the social sciences, in particular, applied developmental science. The promotion of social justice is clearly aligned with the goals of applied developmental science, that is, “to advance the integration of developmental research with actions—policies and programs—that promote positive development and/or enhance the life chances of vulnerable children and families” (Lerner, Fisher, & Weinberg, 2000, p. 11). A focus on social justice creates significant potential for this field, and indeed for all of the social sciences, to orient their research, policy, and advocacy work in the interest of a more just society. This entry identifies the key links between applied developmental science and social justice, followed by descriptions of two model programs that have successfully incorporated social justice into community interventions. Social justice is a value that recognizes the importance of distributing society's benefits and burdens in a manner that is fair for ...

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