Quietly bearing the brunt of austerity in school: A qualitative study into children's experiences of food insecurity in Ghana

Abstract

The dominant food security literature that reports on children's experiences of food insecurity rely on adult/parent proxies. Nevertheless, studies have shown that adult narrations of children's experiences might not always accurately reflect children's experiences. Furthermore, other studies have also shown that in many cases, children are the best reporters of their experiences. Against this background, this paper sets out to explore, from school children's own perspectives, their lived experiences of food insecurity in school under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). This research is important because the latest round of austerity programmes in Ghana has compelled the service providers of the GSFP to resort to several coping strategies (such as rationing services, compromising the quality and quantity of meals served, and occasionally skipping service delivery) which can have significant effects on children's nutrition. Findings from group discussions and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 21 primary school children aged 8 to 15 highlight school children's experiences of food insecurity. By exploring children's experiences of food insecurity in school, this paper presents evidence that shows that research about children's experiences can and should be based on children's accounts and not adult proxies.

How do children perceive and understand the experience of household food insecurity? A narrative review of the literature

“…Thirteen articles were solely qualitative studies, using semi-structured interviews as a data collection method (Bernal et al, 2012;Connell et al, 2005;Fatmaningrum et al, 2016;Fram et al, 2011;Ghattas et al, 2017;Lalli, 2022;Leung et al, 2020;Mmari et al, 2019;Mohammed, 2022;Morrow et al, 2017;Ramos, 2020;Rosemond et al, 2019;Velardo et al, 2021). Three articles were mixed methods, using quantitative methods such as surveys alongside qualitative interviews with the children (Harvey, 2016;Heidelberger and Smith, 2015;Jones et al, 2020).…”

“…The assessment of food security status was not elaborated on in these reviewed articles. Participants who were recipients of government subsidies or school food/meal programmes were considered but not specifically assessed as food insecure in five studies (Connell et al, 2005;Ghattas et al, 2017;Heidelberger and Smith, 2015;Lalli, 2022;Mohammed, 2022). Two studies did not report on food insecurity measurement or instrument (Bernal et al, 2012;Jones et al, 2020).…”

“…Children across all studies adopted nutritional coping strategies to manage food insecurity. Children reported self-regulating food intake and/or eating less desirable food as ways to deal with ongoing food insecurity (Bernal et al, 2012;Connell et al, 2005;Fatmaningrum et al, 2016;Fram et al, 2011;Ghattas et al, 2017;Harvey, 2016;Heidelberger and Smith, 2015;Jones et al, 2020;Leung et al, 2020;Mohammed, 2022). In three studies, children reported intentionally participating in activities to distract them from feelings of hunger to cope with insufficient food.…”

“…Subtheme 3.1: children's awareness of food insecurity and hardship Most studies reported that children were aware of food insecurity in their own lives. All studies reported that children were aware of their parents' or caregivers' financial problems and children demonstrated an understanding that these financial issues related to being food insecure (Bernal et al, 2012;Connell et al, 2005;Fatmaningrum et al, 2016;Fram et al, 2011;Ghattas et al, 2017;Harvey, 2016;Heidelberger and Smith, 2015;Jones et al, 2020;Lalli, 2022;Leung et al, 2020;Mmari et al, 2019;Mohammed, 2022;Morrow et al, 2017;Ramos, 2020;Rosemond et al, 2019;Velardo et al, 2021). Seven studies reported that even when parents attempted to shield children, they were aware of food insecurity and money problems to some degree (Bernal et al, 2012;Connell et al, 2005;Fatmaningrum et al, 2016;Fram et al, 2011;Ghattas et al, 2017;Harvey, 2016;Velardo et al, 2021).…”

A new team and vision of the international social science journal

“…There are urgent scholarly issues that also shape sustainability, such as energy, food security, agricultural production, aquaculture, fisheries, water infrastructures, land and natural resources inequalities, vulnerability, resilience building strategies, challenges posed in poverty alleviation and adaptation processes as well as the definition and measurement of complex associated concepts, such as transition, ecological security and social innovation. Recent publications by the ISSJ (Das, 2022; Mohammed, 2022; Udemba & Yalçıntaş, 2023) have sought to draw attention to the critical challenges of sustainability and food insecurity. These thought‐provoking works illuminated the need for long‐term perspectives on these issues as well as the worrisome lack of access to basic necessities such as food in many societies around the world.…”