Children Beyond Childhood in a Rural Community of India
Priyadarshini Purohit1, Sanya Khanna2
1Dr. Priyadarshini Purohit, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur (R.J.), India.
2Sanya Khanna, Research Scholar, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur (R.J.), India.
Manuscript received on 30 May 2025 | First Revised Manuscript received on 09 June 2025 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 16 November 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 December 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 December 2025 | PP: 1-8 | Volume-5 Issue-2, December 2025 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijssl.D119304040625 | DOI: 10.54105/ijssl.D1193.05021225
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© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Child labour is a significant issue in rural India, where lack of education, social norms, and poverty push children into premature work, depriving them of their rights and opportunities. For many young people, adolescence is marked not by opportunity but by challenges such as poverty, limited access to education, and the burden of premature responsibilities. Although for many children, the transition from infancy to adolescence is often shadowed by financial difficulties and early responsibility, it should be a period of learning, growth, and opportunity. While numerous provisions of the law and international treaties protect children’s rights, millions of children still work in dangerous jobs that take away their fundamental rights to education, health care, and a good upbringing. This study examines the impact of child labour on the physical, mental, and educational well-being of children, using Bagru, Rajasthan, as a case study. Findings highlight safe working conditions, limited access to education, and poor healthcare. Effective policy interventions, improved educational infrastructure, and community support are essential to breaking this cycle and ensuring children’s rights are upheld. At the same time, awareness projects should be established in conjunction with community-driven initiatives to create a lasting impact. A multi-pronged approach is necessary to protect children and secure their future.
Keywords: Child labour, Education, Child Rights, Rural India, Policy Interventions
Scope of the Article: Social Science