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Aspirations and Setbacks of Working Children in Addis Ababa: Can They Realise Their Futures?
Author(s) -
Mulugeta Emebet,
Eriksen Sissel H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
children and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0860
pISSN - 0951-0605
DOI - 10.1111/chso.12367
Subject(s) - futures contract , agency (philosophy) , face (sociological concept) , work (physics) , sociology , economic growth , public relations , political science , social science , business , engineering , economics , mechanical engineering , finance
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.