Accounting for Children’s Agency and Resilience in Independent Child Migration in Southeast Asia
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
23644087
eISSN
23644095
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85151290178
Journal Title
IMISCOE Research Series
Start Page
155
End Page
174
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
IMISCOE Research Series (2023) , 155-174
Suggested Citation
Capaldi M.P., Altamura A. Accounting for Children’s Agency and Resilience in Independent Child Migration in Southeast Asia. IMISCOE Research Series (2023) , 155-174. 174. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-25748-3_9 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82284
Title
Accounting for Children’s Agency and Resilience in Independent Child Migration in Southeast Asia
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
In Southeast Asia, the so-called phenomenon of independent child migration has received growing scholarly attention in the last decade or so. A common element of this body of literature is the questioning of the stereotypical adult-centred representation of children who migrate alone for work as passive victims of trafficking. Whilst not ignoring or downplaying that migrating children are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, a number of scholars have emphasized that if we listen to these children’s voices, an alternative discourse and approach can be proposed. Refusing unidimensional interpretations of what is in fact a complex issue, this work has unveiled several conceptual shortcomings in the conflation of child trafficking and independent child migration. In so doing, increasing emphasis has been placed on the notions of children’s agency, capacities and “childhood as a social construction”. Though only at a nascent state, research has also focused on the often neglected perspective of children’s resilience. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this chapter shows that by looking at independent child migration through these lenses, adolescent migration for work can often be a constructive aspiration of young people’s search for the full realization of their rights and a better life.