Child Migration and the Construction of Vulnerability
- Document number
- 1623
- Date
- 2007
- Title
- Child Migration and the Construction of Vulnerability
- Author/publisher
- Julia O’Connell Davidson and Caitlin Farrow, Save the Children Sweden
- Availability
- View/save PDF version of this document
- Document type(s)
- Research/Study/Analysis,
- Keywords
- Education migration, Development, Political instability, Human security, Democracy, Vulnerability, Informal sector, labour exploitation, Debt bondage, Human trafficking, Detention, Deportation, Child asylum seekers Child Trafficking, Child Prostitution, Child Pornography,
- Summary
- This report attempts to look beyond the current policy-emphasis on “trafficking” and “unaccompanied” child asylum seekers to consider broader questions about when and why migration can be associated with the violation of children’s rights. It looks at the global context in which child migration is set and the factors that prompt children to migrate; the problems and risks that they face in the transit from one country or region to another; and their experience in the destination country. Within this, particular attention is paid to the relationship between children’s immigration status and their vulnerability to rights’ violations in the destination country. The report then considers evidence on the experience of children who are left behind when one or both parents migrate. Finally, it identifies areas where there is a particular need for further research and analysis and considers policy implications for CR agencies. Key points to emerge are as follows: There is a need for more and better research on child migration; The current policy emphasis on the vulnerability of “separated children” needs to be modified and balanced by a recognition that a) independent child migration can lead to positive as well as negative outcomes, and b) children who migrate with their families are not necessarily safe from harm; The absence of opportunities for children to migrate safely and through regular channels represents a serious problem; In destination countries, migrant children can be made vulnerable to a range of rights violations through the intersection of three sets of factors: the destination country’s immigration regime; the poor economic situation and labour market position of child migrants and/or their parents/carers; and racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination against particular groups of migrants
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