Children’s perspectives on child well-being : a pathway to sustainable futures

Abstract

Well-being is a subjective construct, meaning each individual can determine their view of well-being the best. Children are considered a vulnerable group and to align interventions aimed at improving their sustainable future, research that is centred on children’s perspectives on their well-being is necessary. However, currently such research is limited, emphasising the need for this study. The goal of the study was to explore children’s perspectives on their well-being as a pathway to a sustainable future within the South African context. The study used a qualitative research approach and the research design was an instrumental case study. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to select nine participants, in middle childhood to participate in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured one-on-one interviews, and guided by an interview schedule. Data were analysed by means of themes. The researcher considered relevant ethical aspects while conducting the study. Findings from the study indicate that family and friends have both a negative and positive impact on children's social, emotional and physical development and their overall well-being because they form part of a child’s immediate environment. Furthermore, factors such as bullying and peer rejection can negatively influence children’s developmental pathways; environmental pollutants affect children’s health and development and pose a threat to their well-being. In addition, children would like to be included and taken seriously in matters that affect them. The study concluded that, besides the presence of family and friends, the school plays a significant role in shaping children's development and future because children’s capabilities and pathways for sustainable futures are unlocked at school. Children have the right to the fulfilment of basic needs for their growth, development and a sustainable future, such as healthy food and safe drinking water and good management of the earth's resources. It is recommended that social workers play a pertinent role in mobilising child participation in promoting child well-being by rendering family services, advocating for clean, healthy, natural and safe environments, and having access to resources to meet basic needs.