Family Social Structure and Intergenerational Persistence of Child Labor in Mechanical Workshops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Child labor is not a new phenomenon in human history which is commonly and unacceptably found in ancient as well in contemporary societies throughout the world. The researchers have explored that various determinants are held responsible for child labor depending upon the socio-cultural conditions and other aspects of life in a particular society. However, the current study adds a unique approach which explores the problem of child labor with intergenerational persistence of child labor in mechanical workshops of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The researcher focused those children who work in mechanical workshops, their parents and grandparents were also used to work in mechanical workshops during their childhood. The objective of this study merely targeted the family social structure and family related factor which lead towards intergenerational persistence of child labor. The researcher designed descriptive research questions followed by a qualitative phenomenological research approach to investigate the issue. The targeted population comprised of children working in mechanical workshops, their parents who were/are also involved in work and remained child labor during their very early stage of life. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques for data collection.  Two major research instruments (semi-structured interview guide and a Focus Group Discussion) were used to collect data from the respondents. The data were analyzed, and major themes were discussed in the light of secondary data .The major findings reflect that large family size, age of child, family nature, family social norms, parent’s personal behavior, household composition, siblings and relatives’ involvement in mechanical workshop, were the major structural factors of intergenerational persistence of child labor in mechanical workshops.