What Means Wellbeing? Distinction of Two Discourses on Well-being – Conceptual and Theoretical Reflections

The article offers a new contribution to an existing discussion about well-being in defining the difference between a public health discourse and a pedagogical discourse, and the difference between a causal logical and a reflectivity paradigm, build on empirical informed theoretical analysis. The principal conclusion is: If efforts to promote well-being can be seen as a cross-professional responsibility, it is crucial that the relevant professionals meet across these well-being discourses, that children and young people’s well-being is viewed as a complex matter and challenge, and that professionals are challenged on their understanding, and capable of meeting different expectations, of well-being.