Generational Effects of Handicraft Fair Trade Production: A Bangladesh Case Study

Fair trade movements aim to respond to economic and social inequality and to support poor farmers and artisans in developing countries through trade. Many scholars are investigating to what extent and how the production of fair trade products affects those who are making them. Some studies have indicated benefits to producers in certain areas such as income, access to market, and business and other skill development. Others suggest concerns about negative effects of fair trade such as increased dependency of producers on particular fair trade endeavors, limited ability to address gender inequality, and increased financial burden on producers. However, little attention has been paid to generational effects on fair trade producers. To explore one of such effects, this paper investigates children’s educational achievements in relation to their parents (who make handicrafts). Survey responses and interviews with handicraft producers and their children were collected from seven fair trade enterprises in Bangladesh in summer of 2012. The results indicate that producers value children’s education highly, and many children, both male and female, gain more education than producers themselves. In the majority of cases, children finished the highest grade in their households. Children’s interviews suggest that mothers’ work often inspires them to continue their education, while they also recognize their limited economic situations.