Social factors contributing to harmful child vending practices among children in Zimbabwe: The case of Epworth

Abstract

The study explored the social forces behind harmful child vending practices in Zimbabwe. The research was triggered by an observation that vending has become one of the most menacing challenges among children in Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to explore social factors contributing to child vending in Zimbabwe. This research was informed by the Ubuntu-oriented Social Work, Welfare and Development Theory. A number of previous studies that focused on the same subject and age-group were consulted. The research utilized qualitative research methodology, in which four key informants were purposively selected for interviews and the convenience sampling (used to get the 12 child vendors who participated through in-depth interviews) and also the 6 community members (whom the researcher interacted with through focus group discussions). The research findings revealed that poverty is a leading factor forcing children in Zimbabwe to engage in vending. The research also revealed that some of the factors contributing to child vending include, child abandonment, orphanhood, bad modeling, and misinformation. The study recommended collaborative efforts to be made between government and other stakeholders in coming up with interventions to support children subjected to vending and other harsh conditions.How to cite this article using ASWNet styleMagavude T. J. (2023). Social factors contributing to harmful child vending practice among children in Zimbabwe. The case of Epworth. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 75-82. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.4 Visit journal website: https://jda.africasocialwork.net