Children's work

Child work – including both unpaid and paid work in and out of the home – is common in all societies. There are many different types of work – from helping with chores within the home, unpaid work on family farms (such as herding or harvest), to waged labour at home or in another business. Some of this work may be exploitative, involving long hours or harmful practices. Equally, work is a common feature of the way in which children interact in their communities, how they learn skills, and (for good or bad) how children contribute to family livelihoods and gain a sense of confidence and pride in their own abilities.

This strand of research therefore considers the positive and the negative aspects of children’s work, and how policy responses, such as social protection, affect children’s work and the security of family livelihoods. Young Lives research demonstrates that many children combine and balance work and schooling, so we also focus on how education policy can be designed and implemented in ways that support children who work.