Traces of Exploitation in Childhood

Traces of Exploitation in Childhood

Traces of Exploitation in Childhood, developed and supervised by Kameel Ahmady with colleagues, examines forms of child labour, the conditions that sustain them and their consequences for children.

The research places children’s accounts alongside those of parents, employers, practitioners and others involved in the organisation of work or protection. Its critical focus is exploitation, unequal power and the institutions that shape children’s working lives.

Qualitative methods and the English edition’s scope

The English page describes research in Tehran, Karaj and surrounding areas, using interviews and participant observation. It discusses difficulties in accessing children safely, the influence of employers and other gatekeepers, and the conditions surrounding fieldwork during the pandemic.

The Farsi introduction describes an earlier presentation of twenty-three forms of child work, while the current English page describes a broader range of economic sectors. Those classifications should not be treated as interchangeable counts. The particular edition and its definitions matter.

Children as sources of knowledge

Children’s descriptions of their work, surroundings and concerns form a central part of the research. The views of adults and institutions provide additional perspectives; they should not displace children’s accounts.

The study raises questions about consent, confidentiality and the influence of those controlling access. Readers should examine how these practical and ethical conditions shaped the material collected.

Interpreting findings and comparisons

The work covers varied occupations rather than waste-picking alone. A study in particular urban settings does not, by itself, establish a national prevalence rate or the experiences of children in every part of Iran.

Counts of interviews, hours of observation and occupational categories must be attached to the edition and methods that report them. Changes between editions should not be presented as if all figures describe one unchanged sample.

Recommendations and edition guidance

The book considers responses to exploitation and the responsibilities of employers, public institutions and organisations working with children. Read proposed measures with the evidence and limitations supporting them.

The linked 723-page English Avaye Buf file identifies a 2024 imprint. Other editions and files are separately labelled above. For the more focused waste-picking study, see Childhood Yawn.

Common questions

Is this the same study as the Tehran waste-picking report?

It is a broader child-labour work addressing varied forms of employment. The waste-picking report has a narrower focus.

Why do the introductions give different occupational counts?

They describe different classifications or presentations. Compare the relevant editions and definitions rather than treating the figures as directly equivalent.

Where can I find available editions?

Use the access links above, checking the language, format and imprint of the file you choose. The title and page numbers in your citation should match that edition.

Related reading

• Child labour
• Child waste-picking study

Read the Farsi book introduction for the corresponding presentation and available material.