Abstract:The study explores the life situation of children who come from rural areas to work in Addis Ababa. It discusses their migration, work, relationships, and their economic contributions using data from 30 children. Findings indicate that poverty is a major push factor for migration, while a strong network of relatives living in Addis Ababa is a pull factor. In Addis Ababa, the children live in a challenging environment, drawing on their personal and social resources to persevere in the face of difficulties. Thou… Show more
“…The expectation that children must work and contribute to the family is also deeply rooted in the culture as well as in the children's mind (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Some children come to Addis Ababa virtually alone aiming to work, attend school, support themselves and help their family back home (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Along with children from poor families in the city, they add to increasing number of working children.…”
Section: Children Work Leisure and Play In Ethiopiamentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Children from the countryside, specifically from the South, are expected to go home for Meskel, a religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and bring gifts and money (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Alemu ( 8) is happy to celebrate Meskel at home.…”
Section: Endris (13) Lives In Addis Ababa With His Parents and Work On Saturdays And Sundays He Explained How He Started To Workmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Poverty is a major reason for work among both rural and urban children. The expectation that children must work and contribute to the family is also deeply rooted in the culture as well as in the children’s mind (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Some children come to Addis Ababa virtually alone aiming to work, attend school, support themselves and help their family back home (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016).…”
Section: Children Work Leisure and Play In Ethiopiamentioning
Based on Article 31(1), the rights of the child to rest and leisure, and applying sociology of childhood as our theoretical approach, we investigated leisure and play among working children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data from 45 qualitative interviews shows that the reasons behind work vary among children. For some, the primary motivation for work is getting money for recreation, while others are obliged to help families. Accordingly, leisure and play have different meanings for different children.
“…The expectation that children must work and contribute to the family is also deeply rooted in the culture as well as in the children's mind (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Some children come to Addis Ababa virtually alone aiming to work, attend school, support themselves and help their family back home (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Along with children from poor families in the city, they add to increasing number of working children.…”
Section: Children Work Leisure and Play In Ethiopiamentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Children from the countryside, specifically from the South, are expected to go home for Meskel, a religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and bring gifts and money (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Alemu ( 8) is happy to celebrate Meskel at home.…”
Section: Endris (13) Lives In Addis Ababa With His Parents and Work On Saturdays And Sundays He Explained How He Started To Workmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Poverty is a major reason for work among both rural and urban children. The expectation that children must work and contribute to the family is also deeply rooted in the culture as well as in the children’s mind (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016). Some children come to Addis Ababa virtually alone aiming to work, attend school, support themselves and help their family back home (Mulugeta and Eriksen, 2016).…”
Section: Children Work Leisure and Play In Ethiopiamentioning
Based on Article 31(1), the rights of the child to rest and leisure, and applying sociology of childhood as our theoretical approach, we investigated leisure and play among working children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data from 45 qualitative interviews shows that the reasons behind work vary among children. For some, the primary motivation for work is getting money for recreation, while others are obliged to help families. Accordingly, leisure and play have different meanings for different children.
“…The children support their families. As shown in Mulugeta and Eriksen (), children from rural areas send money to their families. When asked how much money he sent, Paulos said,I sent 50 Birr once, and later I sent 100 Birr to my father to buy sheep.…”
Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Urban children also give some of the money they earn to parents. Children have dreams of changing their lives and those of their families (Mulugeta and Eriksen, ). It is within this context that this article explores the life situations of working children in Addis Ababa, with an emphasis on their work and future aspirations.…”
Based on interviews with 45 children, this article looks at the life situations and aspirations of working children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including their hopes, efforts and struggles to make their dreams come true. Pushed by the need for survival, the children work and nearly half go to school. They demonstrate agency, taking care of themselves, supporting families and aspiring to change their lives. However, they also face challenges that make achieving their aspirations difficult. The authors argue that agency alone is not sufficient to help them realise their aspirations unless buffered by supportive structures and systems.
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