Children’s migration as a household/family strategy: Coping with AIDS in Lesotho and Malawi

Abstract

This paper examines the diverse ways in which southern African households/families employ children’s migration as a strategy to enable them to cope with the impacts of HIV/AIDS. Based on qualitative research with both guardians and migrant children, it explores how decisions are made concerning where children should live. Such decisions are aimed at both meeting children’s needs and also using their capacities in meeting wider household needs. Hence strategies adopted are often compromises, based on the sense of obligation of individual relatives, household resources and needs, the perceived needs and capabilities of children, and children’s own preferences.