CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
Lack of Attention in Textbooks to
Economic and Demographic Influences on Children’s Developmental
Pathways
Some Statistics
97% of Population Growth in Developing World
70 Million Births Annually in Developing World
86% of Children < 18 Years in Developing World
Demands on Health Care, Education, Social Support
General Differences
Industrial World
Small or Single-parent Families
Encouragement to Self-actualize
Changing Gender-role Socialization
Many Years in School
Developing (majority) World
Communal Living
Intricate Family Relationships
Responsibility Training
Traditional Gender Roles
Early Marriage and Many Children
Parenthood Differences
Industrial World
Children Provide Emotional Satisfaction
Delayed Childbearing (female education)
Fewer Children in Economic Slowdowns
Developing World
Children as “Insurance” (infant mortality)
Sons Remain with Family - Care for
Parents
Extended Family Supports High Birthrate
More Children in Economic Slowdowns
Child Labor
250 Billion between 5 and 14 Years Work
Collectivistic Agricultural Societies
Largest Number of Child
Workers
Socioeconomic Status and School Drop-out
Threats to Indonesian Children
Economic and Normative Framework
Brazil - Poverty Affords Little Choice
Africa - Poverty and…
Moral Obligation
of Children
Skills Training
for the Future
Contemporary Changes in Childhood
Cultural Shifts Lag Behind Economic and Demographic Changes
Global Tends in
Families
Parent-child Relationships
Children’s Roles and Schooling
India - Traditional AND Modern Childrearing
Saudi Arabia - Resistance to Modernization
DISCUSSION:
➢ Education holds out the promise of a better life for
children. But, some cultures demand that children contribute through
work. How can we solve the problem of child labor without disrespecting
cultural norms?