Young Lives is a major international study of childhood poverty, led by the University of Oxford in partnership with national research institutions. Young Lives followed 12,000 children from Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam over 15 years (2002-2016). While Young Lives did not research hazardous or exploitative forms of child labour, its results are useful in designing programmes to prevent children from becoming involved in such work.
This study draws attention to the reasons why children work and what is at stake for children and their families. By identifying the issues that child labour programmes need to take into account, evidence from the Young Lives study can help policy-makers approach children’s work in a more child-sensitive way. It highlights principles for child-sensitive programming that will help minimise the risk of burdensome work for children, while maximising children’s wellbeing – always acting in the best interests of children.