Socio-cultural context of child labour in fishing communities of Cape Coast metropolis: Implications for policy and school counselling

Abstract

This qualitative study, using the grounded theory method in data collection and analysis, explored the socio-cultural context of child labour in fishing communities of Cape Coast Metropolis based on the lived experiences reported by 10 purposively and theoretically selected basic school students who engaged in child labour activities from two schools in fishing communities of the Cape Coast Metropolis. Six research questions guided the study. The trustworthiness of the data was grounded in the concepts of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were held and inductive data analysis was used based on Strauss and Corbin’s (1990) paradigm model developed to guide grounded theory research analysis. The open, axial, and selective coding procedures were used to break and synthesise data. The study identified four defining characteristics which may be used in defining “child labour”. It found that factors that triggered off the experiences of child labour may be categorised as “push” and “pull” factors.. It was found that while anxiety and fear, abuse and relationship with fathers and friends were some barriers that constrained the child labour activities of participants, relationship with mothers, and school authorities were generally supportive. The study concluded that child labour, if managed properly, can impact positively on child labourers’ educational, and personal-social lives. Implications for school counselling, policy and theoretical value of the study were also addressed as issues of recommendations.