The positices and negatives of children's independent migration: assessing the evidence and the debates

Children's experiences of migration in Ghana

By: Hashim I
Published by: Development Research Centre (DRC) on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, University of Sussex, 2006
Via: Eldis

This paper looks broadly at the positives and negatives of children’s experiences of migration. It focuses on the dangers and pitfalls that independent child migrants report, along with the perceived benefits and opportunities. It assesses the manner in which independent child migrants are positioned in social policy and legal discourse, in light of children’s own evaluations of their experiences. The paper is based on field research in Ghana.

It argues that the two primary categories utilised in considering children’s independent movement – fostering and trafficking – are not helpful in assessing the extent to which children are vulnerable, since these vulnerabilities emerge from the inherent insecurities, risks and dangers attached to the process of migration itself. In contrast, when assessing the costs and benefits of migration, it is important to listen to and take into account children’s own perspectives, but that in doing so consideration needs to be given to the broader context of the children’s situations that place constraints, at many different levels, on children’s choices.
(http://www.migrationdrc.org/publications/working_papers/WP-T16.pdf)

"As if they were watching my body": pornography and the development of attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviour among Camobdian youth

Does pornography affect children’s gender identity?

By: Fordham G
Published by: Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) , 2006
Via: Eldis

Pornography is directly implicated in issues such as gender-based violence, the use of commercial sex workers, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the rape of children. This report explores how representation of the sexual practices, as depicted in pornographic media, affects Cambodian children and the development of their gender identities. To avoid adverse effects of pornography on the lives and development of young people, policy recommendations include:

• develop a programme to inform parents how they can protect their children through education and vigilance
• utilise media and discussion-style programmes to open up the issue of pornography in the Cambodian community
• organisations working at district and village levels should make staff aware of pornography and how it is linked to social problems such as HIV/AIDS, sexual assault and domestic violence
• motivate police and village chiefs to mobilise against pornography

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

Report on internet usage and the exosure of pornography to learners in South African schools

Published by: Film and Publication Board, 2006

This survey of Internet usage and the exposure of learners to pornography is part of the Film and Publication Board’s response to concerns expressed by Government, teachers, parents and child protection practitioners about the exposure of children in South Africa to objectionable materials, particularly on the Internet. The aim of this survey, conducted among learners in the 13 to 17+ years age-group in randomly-selected schools in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, to provide an informed basis for the establishment and implementation of public policy initiatives and other measures not only to minimise children’s exposure to such materials but also to empower them with the necessary skills to cope with any distress that they might suffer from involuntary exposure to disturbing, harmful and objectionable materials both online and offline.