'Absent breadwinners': father-child connections and paternal support in rural South Africa - Sangeetha Madhavan et al

The sites for earning a living and for maintaining a family, of production and reproduction, remain geographically separated for many South Africans. Yet the common assumption that only fathers who live with their children provide support for them, substantially underestimates fathers' financial contributions to their children. In this article, we examine the association between children's connections to their fathers and paternal support. Using data on 272 children collected as part of a study of children's well-being and social connections in the Agincourt sub-district of Mpumalanga, South Africa, we identify three types of connection between children and their fathers and four levels of paternal support. We present empirical evidence on histories of children's residence and support to advance three propositions: first, that children's co-residence with their fathers is neither an accurate nor a sufficient indicator that they are receiving paternal financial support; second, thildren are as likely to receive financial support from fathers who are not even members of the same household as from fathers with whom they are co-resident and, finally that children who receive support from their fathers for any part of their lives are likely to receive support consistently throughout their lives. These findings underscore the importance of using a more nuanced conceptualisation and more inclusive measurement of father connection and support in order to determine the contributions that men make to their children. Children born since 1991 are significantly less likely to receive support from their fathers than are those born before. This difference is not a reflection of different levels of support for children of different ages but is due to real changes in paternal action.
From: Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol. 34 no. 1 (September 2008)

Buying innocence: child-sex tourists in Thailand - Heather Montgomery

Based on ethnographic work in a small community in Thailand, this article looks at different categories of sex tourists, analysing what particular qualities they find attractive in Thai children and women. It will argue that the boundaries between tourists who have sex with children, and those who have sex with adults, are extremely permeable and that there may not always be a distinct difference between the two categories of men. Child-sex tourism does not occur in a vacuum and cannot be separated from more general social, economic and cultural concerns, which are often overlooked in analyses. There is a premium on youth among many clients of Thai prostitutes and the actual age of a child is usually irrelevant to all but a small minority of abusers. Instead a situation has developed in which women are infantilised while children are seen as precociously adult, and the distinctions between child and adult and innocence and experience are deliberately blurred.
From: Third World Quarterly, Vol. 29 no. 5 (2008)

Online "Predators" and their victims

Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment

Published in: American Psychologist, 65(2) 111-128, 2008
Via: Docuticker

Contrary to stereotype, most Internet sex offenders are not adults who target young children by posing as another youth, luring children to meetings, and then abducting or forcibly raping them, according to researchers at the University of New Hampshire who have studied the nature of Internet-initiated sex crimes.

Rather, most online sex offenders are young adults who target teens and seduce victims into sexual relationships. They take time to develop the trust and confidence of victims, so that the youth see these relationships as romances or sexual adventures. The youth most vulnerable to online sex offenders have histories of sexual or physical abuse, family problems, and tendencies to take risks both on- and offline, according to the researchers at the UNH Crimes against Children Research Center

(http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/amp632111.pdf)

State of the world's street children: violence

Helping policy-makers, activists, community leaders and service providers to understand street children’s lives and needs

Authors: Sarah Thomas de Benitez
Publisher: Consortium for Street Children , 2007
Via: Eldis

This report aims to promote a better understanding of street children’s lives and encourage policy-makers, activists, community leaders and service providers to take effective actions to prevent and reduce violence experienced by street children.

(http://www.streetchildren.org.uk/reports
/State%20of%20the%20World's%20Street%20Children-Violence.pdf)

Climate change and children

Examining the effects of climate change on young people and children

Authors: A. Veneman
Publisher: United Nations [UN] Children's Fund , 2007
Via: Eldis

This publication seeks to give children a voice on climate change, which has become a growing concern for them. This paper discusses the effects of climate change on children and young people focusing in particular on the following issues: Natural Disaster, Disease, Water, Food Security, Trees, Energy, Action and Advocacy.

(http://www.ecdgroup.com/docs/lib_004700305.pdf)

Adolescents and civil engagement: social engagement and young people

Examining worldwide practices of youth social entrepreneurship

Authors: S. Maak
Published by: Child Rights Information Network , 2007
Via: Eldis

The term “social entrepreneurship” has emerged as a recognisable field in development work with young people. This growing interest began in the 1980s with the emergence of two schools of practice that aimed to invest in young people to promote positive social change and innovative solutions that can be sustained and replicated. This study aims to trace the origins of the concept of social entrepreneurship and how it has been applied in the work of the some of the key international agencies and NGOs that promote it, and to review its implications for the mandate and work of UNICEF with adolescents and young people.

(http://www.crin.org/docs/learning.pdf)

In the best interests of the child

Harmonising laws in Eastern and Southern Africa

Published by: African child policy forum, 2007
Via: Eldis

This report reviews and analyses how far 19 Eastern and Southern African countries have gone in harmonising and implementing the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC, or 'the African Charter').

The report gives an overview of states' performance in all the general principles of the CRC and the African Charter. Issues addressed range from whether states have an overarching definition of a child to looking at provisions protecting children from violence and exploitation, and children's participation. It shows the progress that is underway, but also identifies the gaps that remain between aspiration and practice. This report identifies specific issues that need immediate attention and recommendations that need to be considered in order to address the gaps and challenges.

(http://www.africanchild.info/documents/Report%20(Harmonising%20Laws).pdf)