Gina Porter & Kate Hampshire 
Young People’s Daily Mobilities in Sub-Saharan Africa [PDF ebook] 
Moving Young Lives

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.

Table of Content

1. Introduction: children, young people and the ‘mobilities turn’ in sub-Saharan Africa .- 2. Identifying research gaps and building a field research methodology with young people .- 3. Experiencing the journey to school: rural and urban narratives .- 4. Balancing the load: mobility, work and income generation .- 5. Beyond the school and working day: building connections through play, leisure, worship and other social contact .- 6. Mobility and health: young people’s health-seeking behaviour and physical access to health services .- 7. Negotiating transport, travel and traffic, part 1: walking and cycling .- 8. Negotiating transport, travel and traffic, part 2: motor-mobility, traffic risk and road safety .- 9. Conclusion: Reflecting on theory and method, practice and policy.

About the author

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.