Children Out Of Bounds In Globalising Times By Elizabeth Chin Summary

Elizabeth Chin’s article, Children out of bounds in globalising times, is an enticing piece regarding childhood that has become troublesome to define in pressing times of globalization and modernization. Elizabeth provides an in-depth analysis about the dominant notions of childhood, which carry various assumptions that are in constant dispute with children who move beyond its barriers (Chin 310). As Chin’s article progresses, it is clear that outlining the true meaning of childhood is a crisis, rooted in globalisation. When examining areas around the world, the children in Haiti involved in domestic labour, threaten the dominant understanding of childhood, as they demonstrate exploitation at its finest. Ultimately, countries that fail in managing the intricacy of contemporary life, affirm the idea of children without childhood (Chin 310). The author uses the case of Haitian refugee Ernesto Joseph to depict issues of defining childhood, as the dilemma revolves around whether or not the state can determine if he is a child (Chin

Restavek is an old tradition in Haiti, a means for impoverished children to obtain an education by trading domestic labour to urban families, who then provide these children with food and ultimately schooling (Chin 314). This is particularly compelling due to the fact that I find such tradition to be, in plain terms, slavery. Poor children preforming domestic labour in exchange for an education sounds absolutely absurd, considering it should be attainable to all individuals, rich or poor, child or adult. Looking at this custom with a critical eye, it not only dehumanizes the child, but also creates a hierarchy that is built upon inequality and exploitation. In relation to the article, children-out-of-bounds refers to these restavek’s whom are indeed children with a childhood, but circumstances, culturally and historically, shape their