Pay attention to left-behind children: The impact of labor migration on left-behind children in rural areas of China's central and western regions

Author: Ye Jingzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Presented to you is a book co-authored by Plan International (China) and the College of Humanities, Development and Rural Studies / International Rural Development Center of China Agricultural University. The content focuses on a study of left-behind children in rural areas whose parents have migrated to urban areas for work. Rural migrants constitute the main labor force for the rapid urban growth and development of China. However, most migrant workers leave their children behind in rural areas, creating a situation where parents and children are separated, resulting in millions of left-behind children. This book investigates and analyzes this phenomenon from the perspective of rural communities. Through this pioneering research, readers will recognize the impact of parents' migration on left-behind children. These children, lacking parental guidance, care, and education, face numerous social and psychological issues that will affect their future lives. We sincerely hope that this research will promote greater public and government attention to the growth of left-behind children in rural China, who bear immense psychological and social burdens. We believe readers will join us in conducting in-depth rural development work to address the urgent issues faced by rural children and their parents. — James Murray, National Director, Plan International (China)
In the process of China's modernization, a large number of surplus rural laborers have migrated to cities. However, many migrant workers leave their children behind in rural areas, creating a situation where parents and children are separated, resulting in a large number of "left-behind children." Although different institutions may have varying estimates of the total number of left-behind children, the figure is in the millions. While this social group has continuously drawn societal attention, in-depth academic research on them remains limited. To address this, the College of Humanities, Development and Rural Studies of China Agricultural University and Plan International (PlanChina) began collaborating in 2004 on a study titled "The Impact of Labor Migration on Left-Behind Children in Rural Areas of Central and Western China." We selected ten villages in Shaanxi Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Hebei Province, and Beijing as research communities for field investigations. The research covers aspects such as the daily lives, study conditions, and emotional worlds of left-behind children. We employed a combination of sociological and development research methods, using tools such as household surveys, case interviews, key informant interviews, wealth and poverty ranking, daily activity mapping, semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and role-playing. The analysis of the survey results was primarily based on comparisons between left-behind children and non-left-behind children, as well as changes in the conditions of left-behind children before and after their parents migrated for work. The study includes both statistical data analysis and numerous vivid case studies. The findings presented to readers are the results of this research. The book is divided into three parts.
Part I is the main report of the study, comprehensively presenting the research background, literature review, methodology, content, process, and overall findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on the analysis of survey results from the ten research communities. Part II consists of ten sub-reports, each focusing on a specific research community. This is because the ten selected communities have unique natural, social, economic, and cultural characteristics. The daily lives, study conditions, and emotional worlds of left-behind children are not only related to whether their parents have migrated for work but also to the overall economic status of families in the community and the social and cultural characteristics of the community. Therefore, sub-reports based on communities allow for a more nuanced analysis of left-behind children within their specific community contexts. These sub-reports include additional vivid case studies, as well as selected case profiles of left-behind children, guardians, and school teachers, group interview results of left-behind children and guardians, and letters from left-behind children to their migrant parents, among other appendices. Part III is the appendix, which includes the research questionnaires, semi-structured interview outlines for key informants and groups, and other materials. We hope this book can provide a more comprehensive presentation and analysis of the situation of left-behind children in China, contributing to the development of comprehensive social policies and measures for them. The book is published in both Chinese and English versions to serve as an academic and practical reference for management, research, and practice institutions and individuals engaged in development and child-related work, as well as to provide guidance for international development projects and personnel working on community and child development. This study and the book undoubtedly have many shortcomings, and we will continue to conduct more in-depth research. However, we believe that the publication of this book will draw even broader attention to the issues of left-behind children and research on them.
Author Biography: Ye Jingzhong was born in Shuyang County, Jiangsu Province, in 1967. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Humanities, Development and Rural Studies, China Agricultural University. He primarily conducts research on community transformation and development intervention, development theory, development planning and management, and international development project theory. He has published over 40 academic papers.
James Murray is the National Director of Plan International. He holds an M.A. in NGO Management from the University of Manchester. With 28 years of experience in rural development and capacity building, he has worked in countries such as the Philippines, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Niger, China, and the United States. His main publications include Children's Participation in Community Development. He has also served as an editor for publications such as WES, SSIP, and the Community Development Newsletter.