Childhood experiences: an afro-centric perspective on child labour
Tracy B. E. Omorogiuwa
University of Benin, Department of Social Work, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Korespondenční autor: Tracy B. E. Omorogiuwa (tracy.omorogiuwa@uniben.edu, tracy_4life@yahoo.com)
ISSN 1804-7181 (On-line)
Full verze:
Submitted:20. 4. 2017
Accepted: 29. 5. 2017
Published online: 24. 6. 2017
Summary
Although a number of researchers analysed the exploitative nature of child labour, its contextual basis appears to be down played. The views expressed in these studies are essentially Eurocentric; given the non-recognition of the African centred approach to child labour, and the non-reflection on the social and cultural norms of the people as a base to understand the notion of childhood and children’s work experiences. In response to this gap, this present study underscores the way in which the contextual meaning of childhood sharpens the arguments about the notion of child labour. As well as how child labour or work is defined or highlighted, attention was also given to the societal scopes of family and children’s livelihoods as covering different and interconnected dimensions. It applied the Afrocentric perspective to describe the conceptualization of child labour in the African context; as it discusses the work-free childhood construct that children’s involvement in work is not problematic. Efforts to determine the link between that which is universal and local in childhood experiences and participation in work activities is centred on the social and cultural definitions of child labour. The exploration of how societal values and attitude regarding children’s involvement in work could possibly explain the complex interactions of variables that influences child labour.
Keywords: childhood; child labour; child work; afro-centric; Africa centred; socio-cultural
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