Children's Lives: 1900 to Present: Africa

Vivian Djokotoe Amantana

Considering the concept of childhood from an African perspective, it must be noted that while the historical experiences of the continent justify some generalizations, diverse experiences shape children's lives on the continent. Children's lives have undergone major changes in Africa over the 1900s, largely due to factors that are economic, sociocultural, and political. These changes have tremendously impacted the continent's obligations to its children. The changing social climate in many parts of Africa has impacted the communal philosophy of child rearing, which was aptly described by the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” In cities/urban areas, children's caregiving is the primary responsibility of the individual household, while in the villages, the extended family still plays a larger role in child rearing. Although the children's relationship with the extended family structure remains predominant, with nuclear family units as an integral part of the larger extended system, these erstwhile ...

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