Children’s Perspectives

Young Lives considers children as active participants in our research. Here we share some of the children’s own perspectives on the world and their reflections and responses to our research – in their own words. This is an essential part of the Young Lives approach – to ensure children’s voices are heard and their participation is a core value of the study.

These testimonies come from our publication Towards a Better Future? Hopes and Fears from Young Lives based on a selction of our qualitative longitudinal research.This is the third book following the same 24 children and young people from our four study countries. When the study began, the children in the ‘Older Cohort’ were eight and those in the ‘Younger Cohort’ were infants. By the time of the interviews for this publication, the youngest children were 13 and the oldest were 20.

Last time the Young Lives interviewer came she asked Seble: “What will we find when we come in three years’ time?” She answered: “You will find me with a baby.” Her prediction has come true. She now has a 2-year-old daughter, whom she clearly adores. “I spend most of my time with her. I prepare her food. I give her a bath every day. I am happy because I have a child.”...

Now that Tufa is now 20, the Young Lives researcher feels he has grown up a lot:
“There is a big change in his personality and maturity. The way he has his hair cut and the neatness of his clothes are clear indications that he has grown up. In the past, he came dressed in dirty and shabby clothes and barefoot. This time, he was wearing jeans and a beautiful shirt.”...