Child fosterage dynamics in selected markets in Lagos State, Nigeria

Adediran Daniel Ikuomola, Adekunle Ajasin University

Trend and outcome studies of fostering practices and child labour often overlooked the issue of child labour in fostering practices. Thus the study examines child fosterage dynamics in selected markets in Lagos state, Nigeria. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study exposes how children are being used as economic support by foster parents and the exploitation of the socialization process which sees fostering as part of the upbringing of a child. Major findings from the study revealed that child labour is on the increase and the effects were negative on the children. Similarly the downturn of the economy was narrated as prompting the usage of foster children as coping strategy in major markets. On the whole, child fostering was viewed as important. Based on these findings, the study emphasised the need for policies and interventions that will eradicate child labour in fostering practices.