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Home Alone: Children as Caretakers in León, Nicaragua
Author(s) -
Dahlblom Kjerstin,
Herrara Andres Rodríguez,
Peña Rodolfo,
Dahlgren Lars
Publication year - 2009
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/j.1099-0860.2008.00141.x
Subject(s) - livelihood , perspective (graphical) , falling (accident) , sibling , psychology , developmental psychology , home education , sociology , pedagogy , geography , archaeology , artificial intelligence , psychiatry , computer science , agriculture
This article seeks to explore and understand the life situations of sibling caretakers in poor areas in León, Nicaragua. The every day lives for caretakers were studied through observations and interviews with children, informants and parents. The children themselves were satisfied and proud to be trusted as caretakers and felt useful in contributing to their families’ livelihood. However, in a life course perspective the caretaking role implies a narrowing of life options. Early on they seem to acquire essential life skills but as they grow older many are at risk of falling behind due to their marginalised situation and lack of basic education.