Ability or Social Status - Markeila Howard
One of the most striking experiences in Morocco was seeing very young children selling tissues, bracelets, or snacks in busy markets. Some were as young as six or seven, clearly working to help support their families. A moment that stood out was in Fez, where I saw multiple little kids just trying to sell small keychains. It was surprising and concerning to see children take on such responsibility, but it reflected the economic realities many families face. This highlights the social inequalities in Morocco. While some children attend school and enjoy a protected childhood, many others must take on adult roles early. According to UNICEF, about eight percent of children aged five to fourteen in Morocco work, often in informal sectors such as street vending. This early labor shapes their identity not as carefree kids but as contributors to their family’s survival. Witnessing this made me realize how much a child’s identity is influenced by their family’s social status and economic needs. These children are often invisible, and their struggles are overlooked. It made me reflect on my own privileged childhood, where I was free to learn and play without such pressures. It showed me how identity is deeply tied to opportunity and how unequal those opportunities can be.
"Morocco: Child Protection." UNICEF, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, 2023, https://www.unicef.org/morocco/en/child-protection. Accessed 18 May 2025.
Your experience in Morocco really highlights the same perspective I have been observing, the stark contracts between childhoods shaped by economic necessity and those marked by privilege. It’s difficult to see young children, reminding me of my younger siblings, barely old enough to understand the weight of their responsibilities, taking on adult roles in order to support themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great point. I am not sure if anyone else heard this, but when we were on the tour of Fez, our guide brought up a different perspective to this issue. He said that he did feel bad for those children, but he was very angry at their mothers for putting them up to this job. He said if he got the chance, he would have a stern talking to with the mothers, and explain to them how what they are forcing their children to do is wrong. I thought this was interesting because it was the only time on this trip I felt like I got a real Moroccan's perspective on this problem.
ReplyDelete