Strangers Before the Eyes of Loved Ones: A Sociological Study of Child Laborers
Subject Areas : Social justice, inequality and poverty
Mahnaz Piroziyan
1
,
Hamideh Dabbaghi
2
,
Farah Torkaman
3
1 - M.A of Social Work, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor of Women's Studies Department, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran.
Keywords: Child labor, Culture of Poverty, Discrimination, Ineffective Laws, Inequality.,
Abstract :
Child labor refers to children under the age of 18 who engage in various forms of work, such as street vending, workshops, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, domestic services, and other exploitative activities, to contribute to their own or their families' livelihoods. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines child labor as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity (ILO, 2021). Such work is harmful to their physical, mental, social, and moral well-being, limiting their educational opportunities and often leading to early school dropout. Worldwide, child labor manifests in multiple forms, ranging from agriculture and construction to waste collection and begging. These activities are often the worst forms of child labor, subjecting children to exploitation, violence, and severe risks to their well-being (UNICEF/ILO, 2021). In Iran, although precise statistics on child labor are unavailable, estimates suggest approximately 70,000 children are engaged in labor, with 12,000 to 15,000 working in the streets (Mehr News Agency, 2022). However, the actual number could be 2.5 times higher. In Tehran, it is estimated that 30,000 children work on the streets, with 20,000 working in subway stations during the winter months and 1,870 at traffic intersections. A significant majority of these children are non-Iranian, primarily from Pakistan and Afghanistan, while Iranian children represent a smaller proportion of the street-working population.
Several factors contribute to the persistence of child labor, including economic, social, family, and biological-psychological factors. Economically, high unemployment, poverty, inequality, and limited job opportunities for adults push families into situations where children must work (Bhat, 2010). Socially, positive societal attitudes toward child labor, overpopulation, unplanned migration, and a lack of protective legislation perpetuate the problem (Afshani et al., 2013). Family dynamics, such as large family sizes, parental conflicts, addiction, or criminality, often push children into labor as a means of survival. Furthermore, biological and psychological factors such as identity crises, adolescent crises, and behavioral issues like running away from home or school contribute to children entering the workforce (Okyere, 2013).
This study seeks to explore the demographic and economic characteristics of working children in Tehran, the discrimination they face at the micro and macro levels, and how policy and social changes could help reduce these inequities. The research employs several sociological frameworks to understand the systemic issues surrounding child labor. According to functionalism, social inequalities arise from roles assigned by society, each serving specific economic and social functions (Giddens, 2006). Giddens emphasizes that power dynamics and unequal access to resources lead to discrimination and inequality. Bourdieu’s theory of cultural, economic, and social capital suggests that limited access to these forms of capital among child laborers perpetuates poverty cycles and inequality (Bourdieu, 1393). Elias highlights how power relations between stronger and weaker groups contribute to inequality, with dominant groups using resource control to maintain their power (Elias & Scotson, 1965). Finally, Lewis's "culture of poverty" concept suggests that poverty is perpetuated by behaviors and beliefs resulting from poor living conditions, such as distrust in institutions and the inability to plan for the future, behaviors that are often passed down across generations (Lewis, 1966). By understanding the multifaceted nature of child labor through these theoretical lenses, the study advocates for systemic changes in legal, economic, and social structures to address the root causes of child labor and improve the lives of working children.
Keywords: Child labor, Culture of Poverty, Discrimination, Ineffective Laws, Inequality.
Methods
This study employs a mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, a researcher-designed questionnaire with 115 questions was distributed to 128 child laborers. The questionnaire had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.84, indicating its reliability. In the second phase, seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with social activists and experts, selected through purposive non-random sampling. The interview data were analyzed thematically, resulting in the identification of three main categories, eight subcategories, ten concepts, and 67 codes.
Findings
The majority of child laborers were boys aged 10 to 14. Most had dropped out of school due to financial, educational, or familial pressures and were engaged in informal jobs such as street vending. They worked 10 to 15 hours daily and often faced violence within their families. Despite most parents being alive (76.6%), financial pressures forced the children to work (79.7%). Only 1.6% of these children lived in personal or family-owned homes; 67.2% lived in rented homes, 16.4% in donated or temporary housing, and others were homeless, living in parks, streets, or workplaces.
Over 88% of these children lacked insurance, and their access to education and healthcare services was severely limited. Regarding psychological security, 31.2% of the children rated their family environment as average, while 30.5% rated it as poor. Furthermore, 65.5% reported experiencing mistreatment at home, primarily from siblings (32.9%), while 49.3% faced physical abuse and 42.3% suffered psychological abuse.
Three main themes emerged from the qualitative data:
Child labor as a hidden and neglected phenomenon: This theme includes the lack of accurate data and a comprehensive understanding of child labor, which makes effective policymaking and planning difficult.
Institutionalized discrimination against child laborers: Subcategories include inadequate laws, the perpetuation of discrimination, and discriminatory practices, all of which marginalize these children and limit their access to education and healthcare.
Eliminating child labor: This theme includes subcategories such as strategic planning, legal reforms, and multi-level policies addressing social, economic, and cultural dimensions, aimed at ensuring improved services and resources for children.
Discussion and Conclusion
The discrimination faced by child laborers is the result of a complex interplay of institutional, legislative, social, economic, and cultural factors. Effectively addressing these challenges requires comprehensive legal reforms, multi-level policymaking, and an emphasis on structural and cultural foundations to ensure the successful implementation of policies. To address the issue of child labor, it is imperative to reform and update existing laws with enforceable guarantees. Strengthening multi-level policies that tackle the intersection of economic, social, cultural, and political factors is also crucial. Moreover, expanding educational and cultural programs to raise awareness of children’s rights and promote social justice is essential. Enhancing economic conditions and ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources will help mitigate class disparities. Lastly, developing robust legal frameworks is vital to ensure that working children have access to fair and accessible judicial systems.
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