[EQ] Children's Perspectives on Economic Adversity: A Review of the Literature

Children’s Perspectives on Economic Adversity: A Review of the Literature

 

Gerry Redmond

DISCUSSION PAPERS IDP Number 2008-01 March 2008

UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre IRC, Florence Italy

 

Available online PDF file [23p.]  at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/idp_2008_01.pdf

 

“…..This paper reviews some of the recent qualitative literature on children’s perspectives on economic disadvantage.  The idea of asking people who experience disadvantage about their own situations is still a relatively new one in the social sciences, and the idea of asking children about their own perceptions of economic and social disadvantage is even more recent.

Nine analyses, all published since 1998, and all of them involving in-depth interviews or group work with children aged between 5 and 17, are examined in detail.  Most  of  these  studies  develop frameworks based on the ‘new sociology  of  childhood’, which emphasises the social  construction of childhood  and  children’s  agency in the context of child-adult relations.

The nine studies cover a number of issues related to economic disadvantage, including  exclusion from activities and peer groups at school and in the community;  perceptions of ‘poor’ and ‘affluent’ children; participation in organised activities outside of  school  hours; methods  of coping with financial  hardship;  support  for  parents  in  coping  and in seeking and keeping employment, and aspirations for future careers and lives.

 

The analysis is organised under two themes - social exclusion and agency.
Both are important from a child’s perspective. The research examined here shows  that  what  concerns  children  is not lack of resources per se, but exclusion  from  activities that other children appear to take for granted, and embarrassment and shame at not being able to participate on equal terms with other children. The research also shows the extent to which children’s agency  matters, first for themselves, to make sense of their situation and to  interpret  it  positively  or  otherwise; second, for their parents and families,  to  help  them  cope  with financial and other pressures through engaging  in  domestic  work and caring, not making demands on parents, and protecting  them  from further pressure where they are able; and third, for policy:  initiatives  to  reduce  children’s exclusion must take account of children’s own perspectives on their situation.

 

On the basis of the nine papers analysed, the review argues that economic disadvantage can lead to exclusion in a number of critical areas, including schooling,  access to out of school activities, and interaction with peers. But  the  review  also  finds  that children use their agency creatively to reduce  the  impact  of  economic  adversity  on  them  and their families.

However, they can also turn it inwards, leading to them lowering their own aspirations,  excluding  themselves from a range of activities, or engaging in  activities that attract social disapproval. The review concludes with a discussion of the ethical and practical challenges associated with conducting research with children, and with a summary of issues that still remain under-researched.

 

This paper contributes to IRC's ongoing exploration of ways to understand and  study the different dimensions of child wellbeing and the realization of children's rights for policy development purposes…..” From: Eva Jespersen

 

 

 *      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMS Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAHO/WHO Website: http://www.paho.org/

EQUITY List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

 

 

 

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.