TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/19/12 -- Tomorrow marks Universal Children's Day, and the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
"Save the Children is proud to share such deep roots with Universal Children's Day," said Patricia Erb, President and CEO of Save the Children. "When our founder, Eglantyne Jebb wrote the first Declaration of the Rights of the Child for the International Save the Children Union in 1923, she was creating the principled foundation for what would become the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child-a pivotal tool in advancing children's rights around the world. Today we honour this legacy and recommit ourselves to protecting the civil, political, social and cultural rights of every child."
In recognition of this day, Save the Children, in partnership with Leger Marketing, conducted a survey with 1526 Canadians on their attitudes towards children and youth and work in Canada and abroad.
Children and youth work for many reasons. Many children around the world must work to help support their families. Equally, children and youth choose to work because it offers them opportunities to learn and grow.
Youth and Work Survey: Key Findings
In defining work as formal and informal duties at a job or around their home, here are some key findings regarding Canadian attitudes and perceptions on children and youth and work.
Children and Youth working in Canada.
- 68% of Canadian youth surveyed said they began working at or
before the age of 15.
Canadians see value in children and youth working.
- Only 16% of Canadian adults surveyed believe that Children and
youth should not be working at all.
Working is learning.
- 82% of Canadian children/youth believe that in working, they learn
skills they cannot learn in the classroom.
Working does not hinder children/youths' social lives.
- 66% of Canadian children/youth believe working still allows them
the opportunity to socialize with friends.
Working is an opportunity to contribute.
- 88% of Canadian adults surveyed agree that working provides
children and youth with an opportunity to contribute to society in
a positive way.
Canadians feel that governments need to do more for children/youth in
developing countries.
- 90% of Canadian adults believe that children and youth working in
developing countries often do work that is inappropriate or
dangerous and feels that governments must have a role in their
protection.
Responders believe that work is a part of life, be it in Canada or in a developing country. But we must continue to be diligent in protecting children and youth from exploitation. Save the Children remains steadfast working to ensure that work creates opportunities for children and youth.
"On Universal Children's Day we recognize the many barriers confronting children around the world, and understand that within every child is the strength and potential to create a better future," said Will Postma, Director of Programs at Save the Children. "Right now our Children Lead the Way program is working to reach over 2 million people in countries in Africa and Latin America, with the specific aim of ensuring that children who work are protected from exploitation, and have access to a quality education, where they can learn the skills they need to create the future they want."
About The Survey
Leger Marketing, a third party survey company conducted an online survey between November 8th and 14th, 2012 with a sample of 1,526 Canadians (1,260 respondents age 18 years or older, and 266 children between the ages of 8 and 17). Nationally representative demographically and regionally, the margin of error for a sample of 1,260 is considered accurate within +/- 2.76%, 19 times out of 20, while a sample of 266 children is considered accurate within +/- 6.01%, 19 times out of 20.
Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, has approximately 460,000 members nationally - with between 10,000 and 20,000 new members added each month, and has a retention rate of 90 per cent.
The purpose of the survey is to capture the perceptions of Canadians, both adult and children/youth, regarding children and youth and work.
Contacts:
Save the Children Canada
Cicely McWilliam
416-218-1888 (o) or 647-291-1683 (c)
cmcwilliam@savethechildren.ca
