Understanding Latinx Child Farmworkers’ Reasons for Working

A Mixed Methods Approach

Bibliographic Data

ID12093025
AuthorsTaylor J Arnold (0000-0002-3575-1512, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA, corresponding author), T A Arcury (0000-0001-9523-9492, Wake Forest University), A Quandt (0000-0002-2968-5459, Wake Forest University), Sara A Quandt (Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA), Joanne C Sandberg (0000-0001-6056-6186, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA), Jennifer W Talton (0000-0001-9365-1993, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA), Stephanie S Daniel (0000-0001-5606-6146, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)
Year2022
Volume38
Issue6
Pages1142-1176
Publication date2022-12-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescent Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-5584 • E-ISSN: 1552-6895
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/07435584221144956
PMID38235371
OpenAlexW4313213906
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited73

Agricultural labor is extremely hazardous, yet young children are legally permitted to work on farms. This paper contextualizes and describes Latinx hired child farmworkers’ stated reasons for working. We conducted a mixed-methods study using in-depth interviews ( n = 30) and survey interviews ( n = 202) with Latinx child farmworkers aged 10 to 17 in North Carolina. Our qualitative thematic analysis identified children’s salient reasons for working, including supporting family, contextual factors that lead to farm work, and occupying summer time. Statistical analysis showed that children’s primary reasons for working included buying clothes (91.1%) and school supplies (64.7%), with few differences by gender, age, or other characteristics. The findings demonstrate that most Latinx children view farm work as a necessary but temporary experience that financially supports their families. We discuss the implications for protecting Latinx child workers by reducing their structural vulnerability in order to facilitate healthy development

Developmental psychology · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Vulnerability (computing · Work (physics · Agriculture and Farm Safety · Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology · Engineering · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Social Psychology