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The overt manifestation of a social problem is usually the tip of the iceberg signaling the problem’s existence but not its causes. (UNICEF, 1996) A phenomenon such as child labor should be understood as a symptom of a deeper and more complex situation within a particular societal context. In recent years research in Egypt sought to identify the factors involved in causing child deprivation. Few research projects concentrated on the factors involved in the proliferation of child labor. Research findings indicate a clear link between aspects of child deprivation – in fact deprivation of basic child rights – and child labor. Numerous studies have identified a triangular relationship between poverty, deprivation of education, and various forms of child vulnerability including child labor. A review of research findings sheds light on the nature and the root causes of child deprivation which are conducive to child labor. Few research projects assessed the causes which contribute to children’s early participation in the work force. The Child Labor in Egypt Survey (1991) highlighted the importance of differentiating between causal factors and incidents or conditions which merely "facilitate" the occurrence of a phenomenon. Such is the case of low technological levels in industry which provide a suitable environment for the perpetuation of child labor. The reasons for working as stated by a sample of working children under age 15 indicate that educational failure and the desire to learn a profession were the most significant causes among boys. For girls, economic factors were the most compelling reasons for work.
*The respondents were permitted to state more than one reason. In explaining why their children worked, parents questioned whether basic education was relevant for providing their children’s need to gain experience. Others complained of the burden of school expenses. Family economic pressures come out clearly in the study. Results indicated that a child’s contribution to the family budget ranged on average between 22.8% (mothers’ estimates) and 30.7% (children’s estimates). Female-headed households are often among the most vulnerable groups and rely to a great extent on child labor as a source of income. The table below compares female-headed and two-parent households. For children from female-headed households, economic factors were much more important reasons for work. These findings are indicative of the vulnerability of female-headed households, a fact which calls for policy consideration.
*The respondents were permitted to state more than one reason. Data from the Social and Health Status and Educational Achievement of Adolescents in Egypt Survey (ASCE) (1998) indicate that for working adolescents (10-19 years), the most important reason for work was to help the family (without pay). This pattern is prevalent in rural areas where children and adolescents work in family cultivation.
Data from Social and Health Status and Educational Achievement of Adolescents in Egypt Survey (ASCE) (1998) |
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