Alone and ‘left behind’: a case study of ‘left-behind children’ in rural China

Hong, Y. and Fuller, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3816-5068 (2019) Alone and ‘left behind’: a case study of ‘left-behind children’ in rural China. Cogent Education, 6 (1). 1654236. ISSN 2331-186X doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2019.1654236

Abstract/Summary

China has been experiencing rapid economic growth over the past few decades accompanied by an overwhelmingly large number of rural habitants out-migrating to urban areas for work and better earnings. However, children of migrants are not entitled to free schooling provisions in these urban destinations and so millions of school-aged rural children have to be ‘left behind’ by their migrating parent(s) in their home place. This study investigates the educational aspirations of Chinese ‘left-behind children’. Via an ethnographic, qualitative case study approach it captures the impact of ‘left-behind-ness’ on aspirations Findings indicate that whilst educational aspirations are embedded in left-behind children’s disadvantaged social background, they are also shaped by the consequences of being ‘left-behind’. By doing so, it seeks to highlight an important area as well illustrating the value – or not – of using Western theories of social inequalities with an Eastern context.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/85436
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/2331186X.2019.1654236
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > Institute of Education > Improving Equity and Inclusion through Education
Publisher	Taylor & Francis
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