Exploring Child Labour: An Examination of Child Trading in Nigeria

Globally, child labour research is a major focus of the academic and policy literature especially in developing continents such as Africa, Asia and Latin America. There is a global perception centred on the socio-economic contributions such as poverty, illiteracy and household status as the reason for its incidence and prevalence. Research on the socio-cultural contributions of child labour involving the decision-making process of parents has been few. This study explores the views and experiences of stakeholders on how socio-cultural values influence parents’ decisions in sending their children to trade. An exploratory methodology, within a constructionist paradigm, informed by instrumental case study approach of a market space as the unit of analysis was employed. Thirty qualitative interviews were undertaken with relevant stakeholders. The interviews include three sets of focus group discussions involving five parents and twelve children; and thirteen in-depth interviews with five children, four parents and four social workers. The investigation considers how cultural values influence the decision-making process of parents in child trading. The study further investigates the impact of child rights law as a preventive measure in child trading. Thematic analysis was employed in analysing the data. The themes were based on three layers of analysis: children’s experiences and participation in trading, family dynamics and interactions; and policy context on child trading. Findings revealed that child trading is an occupational ‘shift’ that children navigate as a pathway to other employments. Improved understanding of the cultural norms involved in the decision-making process of parents in relation to child trading and government provision of inclusive support to parents in the form of sensitisation and financial assistance to boost the economic stability of households are found to aid in the implementation of policies and practices that will reduce child labour activity in the Nigerian community. Original theoretical and methodological contributions to knowledge are presented and discussed.