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Perceptions of Neglect and Well-Being among Independent Child Migrants in Ghana

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  • Padmore Adusei Amoah

    (Lingnan University)

Abstract

Independent child migrants (ICM) are children who choose to leave home and live independently of their parents or adult guardians. The literature and society in general often portray them as victims and abandoned children. This is because research on child neglect has not paid sufficient attention to the experiences of children in especially difficult circumstances. This paper has addressed that inadequacy: it has investigated the experiences and perception of parental neglect among ICM in Ghana and the relationship between these experiences and the children’s subjective well-being (happiness). The study used a cross-sectional concurrent mixed method design with children aged 12 to 17 years. The sample for the quantitative study included 156 children, while the qualitative investigation involved 14 children. The analysis comprised ordinal logistic regression, and hybrid thematic techniques for the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. The results indicated that the decision to migrate often emerged through familial dialog. For the children, the decision was connected to their in-depth appreciation and experiences of family poverty and well-being. Correspondingly, despite the hardships the children faced, and their understanding of what neglect is, most of them did not feel neglected. Nonetheless, the majority of the ICM were not happy about the conditions of their lives. Unhappiness was mostly associated with greater perceived parental neglect. The paper argues that social protection policies to safeguard ICM and children alike from ‘risky’ conditions must consider the broader sociocultural, economic and familial conditions that shape their lives, livelihoods, and feelings of well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Padmore Adusei Amoah, 2020. "Perceptions of Neglect and Well-Being among Independent Child Migrants in Ghana," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(2), pages 455-479, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:13:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s12187-019-09678-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-019-09678-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gross-Manos, Daphna & Melckman, Eran & Marey-Sarwan, Ibtisam & Jacobson, Ma'ayan, 2024. "Child neglect and its identification in school settings: Perspectives of teachers, prospective teachers, and pupils in Israel," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    2. Padmore Adusei Amoah & Afua Amankwaa & Maggie Lau & Gizem Arat, 2024. "Subjective Poverty, Family Support and Health-Related Well-Being of School-Aged Children in Single-Parent Households in Ghana: The Role of Health Literacy and Duration of Parental Separation," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(3), pages 1273-1309, June.
    3. Ibtisam Marey-Sarwan & Ayala Cohen & Daphna Gross-Manos, 2023. "“I Prefer to Live Only on Bread, but to Live with Love”: Muslim Palestinian-Arab Youths’ Perceptions of Child Neglect," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(6), pages 2609-2630, December.
    4. Angyang Li & Shuo Wang, 2023. "Parental Neglect During COVID-19 and Children’s Life Satisfaction in Rural Communities: A Moderated Mediation Model of Avoidant Attachment and Self-Compassion," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(6), pages 2373-2390, December.

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