Protecting Childhood in an Adult World

Eoghan Cleary is a teacher, researcher and campaigner whose work is focused on protecting young people and understanding the influences shaping their identities, relationships and experiences of growing up.

His story begins with his own search for belonging.

After a frightening period in hospital as a young child, Eoghan grew up with a deep desire to feel valued and accepted. At school, he often struggled to find his place. It was through theatre that he discovered a space where sensitivity was welcomed, vulnerability felt safe and young people could take risks together.

That experience shaped the direction of his life.

In this episode of We Are The People, Eoghan reflects on his work with marginalised communities, his return to teaching and the importance of creating environments where young people feel able to be themselves.

He also speaks candidly about the personal experiences that can sit beneath our desire to help others. Our most meaningful work can be inspired by the things that once hurt us, but Eoghan believes we cannot expect that work to heal those wounds on our behalf.

The conversation turns to the moments when young people trusted him enough to speak openly about their experiences of sex, consent and relationships. Their vulnerability forced him to examine what adults were failing to discuss and what had begun to fill the silence.

Eoghan explores how pornography, smartphones and online culture are influencing young people before they have the emotional maturity to understand the world they have entered. He discusses masculinity, sexual violence, healthy relationships and the responsibility of governments, technology companies, parents and other adults to protect children.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple principle: it should not be up to a child to protect themselves in an adult world they have fallen into.

Children can show remarkable honesty and vulnerability. When they tell us what they are experiencing, our responsibility is not merely to admire their courage. It is to listen, allow what we hear to change us and take action.

This is a thoughtful and challenging conversation about belonging, authenticity and giving every child the safety and freedom to discover who they really are.

Listen to Eoghan Cleary’s story on We Are The People.

Content note: This episode includes discussions of pornography, sexual violence and the experiences of young people. Listener discretion is advised.