Young People's Daily Mobilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving Young Lives

by Gina Porter, Kate Hampshire, Albert Abane, Alister Munthali, Elsbeth Robson

Overview

This book explores the daily mobilities and immobilities of children and young people in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors draw on findings from rural and urban field research extending over many years, culminating in a 24-site study across three African countries: Ghana, Malawi, and South Africa. Wider reflections on gender, relationality, the politics of mobility, and field methodology frame the study. By bringing together diverse strands of a complex daily mobilities picture-from journeys for education, work, play/leisure and health, to associated experiences of different transport modes, road safety, and the virtual mobility now afforded by mobile phones-the book helps fill a knowledge gap with crucial significance for development policy and practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781137454317
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date:	11/26/2016
Series:	Anthropology, Change, and Development
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	250
File size:	670 KB

About the Author

Gina Porter is Professor of Anthropology at Durham University, UK.  
Co-authors are Kate Hampshire, Reader in Anthropology, Durham University, UK; Albert Abane, Professor of Geography, University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Alister Munthali, Director of the Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi; Elsbeth Robson, Senior Lecturer in Geography, University of Hull, UK; Mac Mashiri,  Gwarajena TRD, Pretoria, South Africa.  

Table of Contents

1: Introduction: children, young people and the ‘mobilities turn’ in sub-Saharan Africa

2: Identifying research gaps and building a field research methodology with young people

3: Experiencing the journey to school: rural and urban narratives

4:  Balancing the load: mobility, work and income generation

5: Beyond the school and working day: building connections through play, leisure, worship and other social contact

6: Mobility and health: young people’s health-seeking behaviour and physical access to health services

7:  Negotiating transport, travel and traffic, part 1: walking and cycling

8:  Negotiating transport, travel and traffic, part 2: motor-mobility, traffic risk and road safety  

9: Conclusion: Reflecting on theory and method, practice and policy

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The important role that mobility plays in the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa is an important but long neglected research topic. This book not only fills that research gap but also brings to light innovative methodologies. It’s a ‘must have’ for anyone who wishes to understand how to improve the social consequences of young Africans’ mobility experiences.” (Karen Lucas, Professor of Transport and Social Analysis, University of Leeds, UK)

“Gina Porter has written a very unusual book. It is micro-geography at its best, and the focus on young people and on Africa is exceptional, and exceptionally well done. This book can and will inspire many researchers, students, and policymakers in Africa and elsewhere in the world.” (Ton Dietz, Director, African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands)

“This empirically rich and theoretically informed book makes an important contribution to understandings of how mobility shapes the lives and life courses of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. It offers real insight into their challenges and coping strategies. A timely addition to the literature on this important but overlooked topic.” (Katherine Gough, Professor of Geography, Loughborough University, UK)

“A remarkable synthesis of peer-based case studies into young people’s physical mobility. Wonderfully grounded in theory, and finely tuned to ethnographic research methodology and to policy making, the authoritative and engaging text is a very welcome first for and from Africa.” (Gordon Pirie, Deputy Director, African Centre for Cities, South Africa)

Editorial Reviews

The main strength of this book is its ability to apply anthropological knowledge beyond its disciplinary boundaries to discuss it in more applied ways that will be useful for development practitioners. This is not an easy task and one that anthropologists often shy away from. Hence, this book makes for a fascinating read by stretching our understanding of how such social experiences can be understood through a policy and programmatic lens.” (Shannon Philip, Progress in Development Studies, Vol. 18 (03), 2018)​

From the Publisher