The Western Concept of Childhood Is Not Really the Norm

Modernity and globalization have modified how children and the concept of childhood is viewed in society – that is children and youth that once contributed to “household economies” are now viewed as financially invaluable (Zelsier, 1995, cited in Orellana, 2009, p. 17). However, Orellana’s (2009) work Translating Childhoods: Immigrant Youth, Language, and Culture, and Fong’s (2004) study Only Hope: Coming of Age under China’s One-Child Policy, challenge the normative views of the Western world by presenting the stories of children that may not have the typical childhood that most children are perceived to have, such as relaxing and playing with friends endlessly. The participants in the researcher’s works have bigger responsibilities they must tend to, such as translating for parents – being language brokers as Orellana labels the children’s work – and making sure they are well prepared to attain success later in their adult lives. The research presented touches on the impact that globalization has had on these children’s lives and upbringings, contributions youth offer society and how their familial relationships should not be viewed negatively by the dominant First World nations.

Orellana (2009) and Fong’s (2004) research helps cement that children can be of help in their young developmental years. Most of the participants in Orellana’s study noted that they were happy to help in brokering services between their parents, neighbors and the outside world. The children and youth used descriptors such as “like to help,” “feeling great,” and “it’s cool because you know things that other [children or youth] don’t” reveals the enjoyment the participants felt when serving as translators (p. 62-63).

In addition, they can be seen as lan...

... middle of paper ...

...s not aware that this type of research had been conducted but am very thankful to both researchers. I connected with both studies because of the language brokering services that I provided as a child and continue to provide in present day. In addition, my parents also put pressure to succeed educationally and pursue higher education – in many ways to help care for them after retirement such as the singletons we learned about. It would be beneficial to expose young children about research such as these to help encourage them and expose them to take pride in the helpful services they provide their families.

Works Cited

Fong, V. L. (2004). Only hope: Coming of age under China’s one-child policy. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

Orellana, M. F. (2009). Translating childhoods: Immigrant youth, language, and culture. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.