The west African nation of Nigeria has over the years recorded cases of children in the context of child labor being objectified, an act that is largely perpetrated but ironically not well known because it happens behind closed doors of the employer’s home. This study goes beyond the dominant discourse on child labor to add to the existing literature by exploring and revealing the features and elements of child objectification that are underestimated in previous literature and in the world.
The researcher undertakes to listen to the stories of victims of child objectification and attempts suggestions on how to limit it. The objective of this study is to illustrates the phenomenon of family background as the trigger for child objectification in Nigeria, discuss the ordeal of the objectified children in Nigeria and Explore expectation for a better future as a precondition of continuation of child objectification in Nigeria.
Drawing from the social constructivist framework and grounded theory of qualitative research, the findings from the data narrated by the objectified victims disclosed the ordeal they went through. They were used and exploited, abused and their basic human rights violated. The experience of these children fell short of expectations: They worked like machines, were confined to their employer’s home with little or no channel of no communication with their families and friends, they were generally maltreated.
Despite the efforts by the Nigerian government together with some Non-Governmental Organizations to put an end to these human rights abuse against these minors, the practice seems to go on with most being silently committed. From the confessions of the victims, it is thought that the place of social work in Nigeria is primordial in tackling this crisis and bringing an end to child objectification. It concludes with recommendation aim at programmes and policies to inspire thoughts about these objectified children not only as topics of concern, but as valuable social actors with needs and goals.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Social Construction of Childhood
1.1. Global perception
1.2. The cultural perception of a child within the African context
2. The Nature of Child Objectificatio.
2.1. Child objectification context in Nigeria
2.2. Measures against child exploitation in Nigeria
2.3. United Nations convention on the rights of the child
3. Methodology of the study
3.1 Research methodology
3.2. Data collection and process of analysis
3.3 Ethical Compliance of the research.
4. Data analysis of the study
4.1. Family Background and motive for objectification
4.2. Ordeal of children being objectified during their childhood in Nigeria
4.3. Optimism and Hope of person being objectified
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
This master's thesis aims to investigate the phenomenon of child objectification in Nigeria, focusing on children working as domestic servants. The research seeks to move beyond dominant discourses on child labor to reveal the underlying factors and the lived experiences of these vulnerable children, ultimately advocating for improved social work interventions and policy changes.
- The role of family background as a primary trigger for child objectification.
- The daily realities, abuses, and exploitation faced by child domestic workers in Nigeria.
- The impact of cultural perceptions and traditional norms on child rights.
- The influence of poverty and inadequate government intervention on the persistence of the practice.
- The resilience and optimism of child victims in the face of traumatic experiences.
Excerpt from the Book
Every day, I wake up by 4:30 am and I will start cleaning the house. I will wash the dishes, clean the kitchen, I will take out the trash and wash all the clothes and if I don’t wash them well, she will throw them on the ground and tell me to wash them again. She has three kids so I was taking care of them, and I wake up, prepare them for school so that they will not go to school late Then I will start cooking for my Boss to take to work. then I will start cleaning and after that I will start preparing their lunch and I will take it to my Boss at work. Sometimes she would even throw the food at me because it’s either too salty or it has no salt at all. Then from there I will buy groceries for dinner. [Chinyere, 18]
Besides the plenty plenty housework, em em ... please don’t tell anyone ... my oga squ...zes my breast and forces me to touch him. He says if I tell my madam, she will not believe me and instead I will be sent to jail for stealing. That they will accuse me of stealing. [Chineze, 19]
hmmm I tried stayed 3 years of torture.” It is an experience I won’t wish for my enemy. I worked like a machine [Blessing, 20]
My madam husband tries to touch me sometimes. I could not report to her because she will not believe me. She will say you this witch you want to spoil my marriage [Chinasa, 18].
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the context of child objectification in Africa and defines the researcher's interest in the topic, highlighting the urgent need for social work intervention.
1. Social Construction of Childhood: Examines how different societies, specifically in the West versus Africa, perceive and construct the concept of childhood.
2. The Nature of Child Objectificatio.: Explores the definitions of child domestic labor and provides an overview of legal instruments and measures against exploitation in Nigeria.
3. Methodology of the study: Details the qualitative research approach, the purposive sampling of victims, and the ethical considerations involved in interviewing vulnerable populations.
4. Data analysis of the study: Presents the qualitative findings from participant interviews regarding their family backgrounds, daily ordeals, and their underlying hopes for the future.
Discussion: Synthesizes the research findings, identifying the lack of adherence to rational choice theory among parents and the complex intersection of poverty, culture, and lack of political will.
Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, reaffirming that child objectification is a form of modern slavery deeply embedded in Nigerian social and economic realities.
Recommendations: Suggests practical steps for the Nigerian government and the development of professional social work organizations to protect children's rights.
Keywords
Child Objectification, Child Domestic Labor, Nigeria, Social Work, Child Rights, Poverty, Exploitation, Gender Bias, Child Abuse, Modern-Day Slavery, Childhood Construction, Resilience, Family Dynamics, Social Policy, Qualitative Research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the critical and underreported issue of child objectification in Nigeria, specifically looking at children who are exploited as unpaid or underpaid domestic servants.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The work explores themes such as the social construction of childhood, the role of poverty in perpetuating child labor, cultural attitudes toward children in Nigeria, and the failure of existing government policies to protect these minors.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The aim is to reveal the unseen, "behind-closed-doors" realities of child domestic workers, to understand the motivations that lead children into these situations, and to emphasize the necessity for stronger social work advocacy.
Which scientific methodology does the researcher employ?
The researcher uses a qualitative research approach, employing grounded theory to interpret the subjective experiences of participants through in-depth, semi-structured interviews.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a theoretical and historical overview of childhood, a deep analysis of child domestic work in Nigeria, and a detailed thematic analysis of first-hand interview data from five child victims of objectification.
What are the characterizing keywords of this study?
Key terms include child objectification, child domestic labor, child rights, social work, poverty, and modern-day slavery.
Why are girls disproportionately represented as domestic workers in the study?
The study highlights that societal beliefs often view girls as more docile and domestic-oriented, making them targets for caregivers who prefer compliant workers for household labor.
How do the participants define their "ordeal" in the study?
The participants describe a cycle of exploitation including long, grueling working hours, lack of schooling, discrimination, physical, and in some cases, sexual abuse by their employers.
What role does the "Hope and Optimism" section play in the study?
It highlights the resilience of the victims, explaining that despite their traumatic circumstances, many survivors cling to religious faith and the hope for a future escape as a psychological coping mechanism.
- Quote paper
- Judith Okike (Author), 2021, Stories of objectified children in Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1457889
