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Exploring Child Service Provision Challenges in Rural China: A Welfare Pluralism Perspective

Author(s)

Xiaojing Lin

Affiliation(s)

School of Humanities, Jinan University, China

Abstract

This paper delves into the intricacies of child service provision in rural China in the ongoing rural revitalization initiative. Its core objective is to dissect the prevalent challenges in securing resources and optimizing service delivery channels for rural children in contemporary China. Through a grounded analysis of the M Commonweal Project, a targeted intervention for rural children in Yangjiang City, the study meticulously scrutinizes the operational roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders within the child service ecosystem. The investigation reveals several pivotal issues: local governments face constraints in devising comprehensive top-down strategies and allocating sufficient financial resources for rural child services; social organizations struggle with the provision of specialized services and maintaining end-to-end monitoring mechanisms; families frequently exhibit a limited understanding of holistic child development; educational institutions are beset by outdated infrastructure and instructional materials; and corporations demonstrate a dearth of social responsibility and long-term commitment towards child services. These findings underscore the urgent need for forging formal partnerships between the state and civil society, thereby fostering a robust framework that ensures the comprehensive protection and promotion of rural children’s social welfare rights.

Keywords

Child Service Provision, Rural China, Welfare Pluralism

References

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