Perceptions of Care-givers on the Phenomenon of Child Poverty in Bauchi State of Nigeria

Abstract

Child poverty is a global peril which deprived the access to nutritious food, water and sanitation facilities. It also showcases inadequate health-care services, shelter, education, participation and protection. The main objective of this study is to identify the causes, consequences and the strategies to mitigate poverty among youngsters in Bauchi state of Nigeria. In achieving this, a qualitative research approach was applied and data was collected from the parents and caregivers of the less privilege families, discourse analysis was applied in interpreting the results. Consequently, findings revealed that structural factors such as household size, income factors, unemployment, social influences, inadequate nutrition, deficiency of access to healthcare, income inequality between the people in rural and urban areas, poor government policies and programmes for the demoralized and disadvantaged, makes life miserable. Furthermore, social, economic, psychological, and environmental factors have repercussions on the youngsters. Similarly, provision of financial assistance to poor folks, increased access to quality education and childcare. Correspondingly, improving kids’ healthcare, increasing employment opportunities and wages for parentages to accelerate their income. Additionally, establishment of policies targeting the empowerment of the younger generation. The existing social investment programmes should be reorganized, monitored and financed them, renewal of home-grown school feeding to boost enrolment as well as health package and investment in agriculture to ensure food security were recommended.