The clamour for children in care is a global issue that demands the attention of the global society from an international perspective. Aging out of care reveals poor outcomes (Osgood, Foster and Courtney, 2010; Bailey, et-al,... [ view full abstract ]
The clamour for children in care is a global issue that demands the attention of the global society from an international perspective. Aging out of care reveals poor outcomes (Osgood, Foster and Courtney, 2010; Bailey, et-al, 2011; Höjer & Sjöblom, 2011; Jones, 2014). A globalised systemic perspective of care living strategies can strengthen the social ecology of support (Pinkerton, 2011). The specific objectives unveil the past experience, explore the present experience and described the projected future pathways of the youth.
Methods
The study utilised comparative qualitative research strategy. The participants for the study includes 12 youth purposively selected, comprising of 9 youth in the process of leaving care and 3 care leavers between the age bracket of 19 and 30. With biographical interview, data for the study were from audio-recorded interviews and phone conversation using interview guide. The data was analysed using comparative content analysis.
Ethical considerations include confidentiality, informed consent and invasion of privacy.
Results and discussion
Three dimensions emerged based on participants’ experiences – the past, the present and future life. The past refers to the history of the youth before entry care with focus on biological family affiliation, cultural practices and causes of separation. Only 5 participants had no biological family affiliation and others were supported by social capital. Cultural practices include daily activities, with 4 living on the streets for survival and 6 schooling. The cause of separation was majorly economic constraint resulting in abandonment (6), lack of parental care (5); and ill-health of parent (1).
According to the principles of socio-historical and geographical locations in LCA, the event history shows that youth were born in Portugal and different African countries and experienced street life and schooling. This has helped to an extent to understand the cultural context and the events that characterised the period of youth’s birth. Poverty, parents’ sickness, neglect, orphaning, abuse, abandonment and parental separation exposed youth to vulnerability.
The present shows that participants were admitted into care as infants and school age children in Nigeria and Portugal respectively; two phases of childhood with a SOS family and youth; daily lives include good memoirs of childhood in both country; acquisition of entrepreneurial skills and movement in restriction in Nigeria. Future shows the projected pathways related to career, family-life and employment.
The LCA principles applicable are timing of lives (TOL), linked lives (LL) and human agency (HA). TOL are in three phases of transition - childhood, teenage and youth in preparing youth for adulthood. However, age is an important factor for any transition to occur. Thus, the available early help for vulnerable children is able to minimise the period of adverse experiences, leading to improved outcomes (Munro, 2008). Youth are able to establish cordial relationship with SOS mothers in Portugal, than in Nigeria. HA and LL are interrelated. Daily life reveals the HA characterised by making choices influenced by cultural contexts, affecting their way of life and skills that can be acquired. The significance of secondary education cut across the two countries. With LL, the importance of growing up in a family is significant. This implies that through relationships established, the resources available and located within children’s environments can be harnessed to build a better life.
Future shows the projected pathways related to career, family-life and employment. Youth need help to make a progressive transition to adulthood. LCA principle of past shaping the future has both positive and negative impact on youth. Education and career pathways while the negative dispositions to marriage life. Thus, taken for granted future and late risers is indispensable. Unemployment remains a barrier but entrepreneurial skills is the way out.
