Empowering Children Left Behind in China. Issue 2 (11th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Yang; Burton, Judith; Lonne, Bob
• Is Part Of: Asian social work and policy review. Volume 10:Issue 2(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2016-03-11
• Subjects: caregivers -- empowering children left behind -- rural China -- social work; Social service -- Asia -- Periodicals; Social service -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social policy -- Periodicals; 361.2509505
• DOI: 10.1111/aswp.12086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-1403

Abstract

Abstract : In the last two decades in rural China, increasing numbers of children of economic migrants have been left behind with kin, which is of growing concern for social work and welfare policy. The genesis of this rural to urban migration has been China's rapid economic development and greater opportunities for work in better paying jobs in cities. However, there is growing evidence of the negative impact upon these children. This paper reports the views of caregivers ( n = 23) and school personnel ( n = 5) from a small town in Northeast China. Interviews sought adults opinions on these children's needs, with the major outcome being children's need to be empowered – to be respected, to express themselves, to have influence, and to be supported to be able to more fully participate in education and their communities. We argue that caregiver strategies to empower children left behind provide insight into culturally appropriate processes and practices that underpin social inclusion. However, some discrepancies between the views of caregivers and school personnel alert us to the potential for tension between family and broader community and institutional views. Implications for social work practice include responding to the cultural values embedded in child rearing practices and local ideas about children's entitlements.