Risks, Resilience and Adaptations in Child Life

Studies show that many of children and youths in urban areas of Sub Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia are at risk situations. Poverty, lose of parents, rural urban migration, ineffective schools, minimum employment opportunity and others have made their life vulnerable. However, despite the presence of risks and obstacles there are stories of success achieved by children and youths who were once vulnerable and victims of adversities. But little attention is given, on the literature, to resilient children and youngsters in the region. Thus, this book explores the sources of resilience capabilities of children and youths, who were once in difficult situations, based on the life histories of 30 former vulnerable children and youths in Arba Minch town of southern Ethiopia. Child development challenges in the town are also identified. It is found that proper socialization, financial, material and technical supports in difficult times; involving children in solving family problems, promoting child's individual capacities and attachment to positive peers could nurture resilience abilities and facilitate goal attainments in children and adolescents who are growing in risk situations.