This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/world/asia/china-left-behind-children-survey.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China to Survey Children Left Behind by Migrant Workers China to Survey Children Left Behind by Migrant Workers
(1 day later)
BEIJING — The Chinese government plans to conduct the country’s first comprehensive survey of rural children left behind by parents who have migrated to cities in search of work, the China Youth Daily has reported.BEIJING — The Chinese government plans to conduct the country’s first comprehensive survey of rural children left behind by parents who have migrated to cities in search of work, the China Youth Daily has reported.
The move comes after a series of reports on the plight of “left-behind” children, who are often put in the care of older relatives or are sometimes abandoned. Researchers say that many of these children have anxiety and depression, and that they exhibit high rates of juvenile delinquency and poor school performance.The move comes after a series of reports on the plight of “left-behind” children, who are often put in the care of older relatives or are sometimes abandoned. Researchers say that many of these children have anxiety and depression, and that they exhibit high rates of juvenile delinquency and poor school performance.
However, even basic information about these children — such as exactly how many there are — is lacking.However, even basic information about these children — such as exactly how many there are — is lacking.
At a conference in Tianjin on Saturday, Song Yinghui, a law professor at Beijing Normal University, estimated that there were 100 million children from migrant families in China, including more than 60 million left in their rural hometowns and more than 36 million who moved to cities with their parents but may be separated. Ni Chunxia, deputy director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ Department of Social Affairs, told the conference that he could not confirm those numbers, but that they highlighted the need for precise data, China Youth Daily said. At a conference in Tianjin on Saturday, Song Yinghui, a law professor at Beijing Normal University, estimated that there were 100 million children from migrant families in China, including more than 60 million left in their rural hometowns and more than 36 million who moved to cities with their parents but may be separated. Ni Chunxia, deputy director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ Department of Social Affairs, told the conference that she could not confirm those numbers, but that they highlighted the need for precise data, China Youth Daily said.
Mr. Ni said the Ministry of Civil Affairs would conduct the survey in conjunction with other government agencies, including the ministries of education and public security. It plans to compile data on the number of left-behind children, their geographical distribution, their family circumstances and their educational status. Ms. Ni said the Ministry of Civil Affairs would conduct the survey in conjunction with other government agencies, including the ministries of education and public security. It plans to compile data on the number of left-behind children, their geographical distribution, their family circumstances and their educational status.
Stories of suicides by children in such circumstances surface periodically in the Chinese news media. In January 2014, a 9-year-old boy in Anhui Province hanged himself after learning that his mother would not be coming home for the Lunar New Year. In June 2015, four siblings, ages 5 to 13, whose parents had left them in Guizhou Province, killed themselves by swallowing pesticide.Stories of suicides by children in such circumstances surface periodically in the Chinese news media. In January 2014, a 9-year-old boy in Anhui Province hanged himself after learning that his mother would not be coming home for the Lunar New Year. In June 2015, four siblings, ages 5 to 13, whose parents had left them in Guizhou Province, killed themselves by swallowing pesticide.
Such reports have prompted calls for more action to help these children, starting by identifying their numbers and needs.Such reports have prompted calls for more action to help these children, starting by identifying their numbers and needs.
“We need this database, because until now we have just been working with general numbers,” Li Ying, a lawyer and child welfare advocate, said in a telephone interview.“We need this database, because until now we have just been working with general numbers,” Li Ying, a lawyer and child welfare advocate, said in a telephone interview.
The need for more reliable statistics was also mentioned in a directive issued in February by the State Council, China’s cabinet, setting out goals for the care of left-behind children in rural areas under the established Department of Social Affairs. The need for more reliable statistics was also mentioned in a directive issued in February by the State Council, China’s cabinet, setting out goals for the care of left-behind children in rural areas under the newly established Department of Social Affairs.
The directive calls on local governments to ensure that no children are shut out of compulsory education because of poverty and to work with the police, medical institutions and social workers to guarantee their safety. Children under 16 must be under the direct care of at least one parent, or the parents may be prosecuted and their guardianship revoked.The directive calls on local governments to ensure that no children are shut out of compulsory education because of poverty and to work with the police, medical institutions and social workers to guarantee their safety. Children under 16 must be under the direct care of at least one parent, or the parents may be prosecuted and their guardianship revoked.
The directive also addresses mental health. “Township governments and education departments should support the strengthening of mental heath education in elementary and middle school, promote the health of students’ psychological and personal development, and diagnose and address mental issues early,” it says.The directive also addresses mental health. “Township governments and education departments should support the strengthening of mental heath education in elementary and middle school, promote the health of students’ psychological and personal development, and diagnose and address mental issues early,” it says.