Overview
- Constitutes the first scholarly exploration of young people’s daily physical mobility in sub-Saharan Africa
- Debuts innovative methodology, such as the “walking method” and the use of children as researchers, and ethical reflections thereon
- Engages with a broad audience that goes beyond Africanist scholars and also includes Western transport and mobility scholars
Part of the book series: Anthropology, Change, and Development (ACD)
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About this book
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.
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Keywords
Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
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)
“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)
Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
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.
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.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Young People’s Daily Mobilities in Sub-Saharan Africa
Book Subtitle: Moving Young Lives
Authors: Gina Porter, Kate Hampshire, Albert Abane, Alister Munthali, Elsbeth Robson, Mac Mashiri
Series Title: Anthropology, Change, and Development
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-45431-7
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-45430-0Published: 28 November 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-45431-7Published: 26 November 2016
Series ISSN: 2947-6968
Series E-ISSN: 2947-6976
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVII, 250
Number of Illustrations: 6 illustrations in colour
Topics: African Politics, African Culture, Children, Youth and Family Policy, Childhood, Adolescence and Society