“Children of Great Development”: Difficulties in the Education and Development of Rural Left-Behind Children

Abstract

Over the past 30 years in China, the development ideology—a model of economic development that is characterized by urbanization, industrialization, and modernization—has brought about many changes and consequences, including increased migration by the rural population, sharp adjustments in urban-rural education policy, the decline of rural society, and a deteriorating educational context facing rural left-behind children. At the family level, labor force migrations have had a far-reaching impact on left-behind children. At the school level, the decline of rural education and urbanization trend have derailed the healthy development of left-behind children. At the community level, the deterioration of rural values amid rapid urban-rural changes has aggravated the developmental risks facing left-behind children. Among rural left-behind children, those who are older (post–compulsory schooling age) and girls, and from poverty-stricken backgrounds face more developmental risks. The authors take into consideration empirical research from regions such as Sichuan and Henan, provide an account of the educational and developmental challenges facing rural left-behind children, and reflect on the developmentalist ideology underlying societal changes.

Keywords:

• developmental difficulties
• developmentalism
• education
• reflections
• rural left-behind children

Notes

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All China Women’s Federation News “Woguo nongcun liushou ertong, chengxiang liudong ertong zhuangkuang yanjiu baogao (quanwen)” (Research Report on the State of Chinese Rural Left-Behind Children and Urban Migrant Children (full text)), http://acwf.people.com.cn/n/2013/0510/c99013-21437965.html (May 10, 2003).

The names that appear in the text have been changed for the townships, towns, villages, and people and the rural school in Jinzhu County, Sichuan.

China Population News, “Zhongguo liudong renkou fazhan baogao 2012” (Chinese Floating Population Development Report 2012) issued by the National Population and Family Planning Commission. http://www.china.com.cn/renkou/2012-08/07/content_26155072.htm. (August 7, 2012).

National Health and Family Planning Commission Department of Floating Population Service and Management, “Zhongguo liudong renkou fazhan baogao 2013” content overview. http://www.moh.gov.cn/ldrks/s7847/201309/12e8cf0459de42c981c59e827b87a27c.shtml. (September 10, 2013).

China News, “Foshan 90 hou wailainü gongzao zaojiehun shengzi, ‘liuerdai’ dansheng” (Foshan Female Migrant Born in 90 s Started Work Early, Married Early, Had Child, “Second Generation Left-Behind” Born) http://www.chinanews.com/sh/2011/05-27/3072580.shtml. (May 27, 2011).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lu Pan

Lu Pan is an associate professor at College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD), China Agricultural University.

Jingzhong Ye

Jingzhong Ye is a professor at the College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD), China Agricultural University.