Keywords

: kinship care, intrahousehold discrimination, orphan care, Uganda, food equity, labor equity, school attendance, Uganda

Abstract

Emerging research suggests that biological relatedness contributes to differential treatment between children being raised by kin and the biological children in the caregiver’s household. This potential concern may be elevated especially when household resources are stretched thin. In this study, 518 Ugandan youth and their caregivers were interviewed individually, examining the association between relatedness and perceived food and work equity, and school attendance. Household income, but not relatedness, was negatively associated with food inequity. However, relatedness was positively associated with perceived disparity in the distribution of work among children living in the household, and with children’s school attendance. These findings support and challenge previous findings, raising further research questions and suggesting practice implications.

Original Publication Citation

Roby, J.L., Shaw, S.A., & George, L. (2014). Perceptions of food and labor equity among Ugandan youth living in kin care. International Journal of Social Welfare, 23(2), 205-214.