The Childhoods and Play of Young Iraqi and Syrian Refugee Children Living in Lebanon

• In Event: Confrontation: Expanding National and International Policies

Abstract

This paper presents unique insights into the childhoods and play of young refugee children living in Beirut’s northern suburbs. The study adopts a ‘Day in The Life’ approach to data collection with four 4-7-year-old Iraqi and Syrian child refugees, supplemented by questionnaires from a wider population (n=100), interviews with professionals and a school observation. Findings point to continuing rights infringements for refugee children in Lebanon, including low social status, poverty, poor-quality education and/or no school attendance. Although some ‘lifelines’ are available for refugee families, these fall short of ensuring children’s rights, with contradictory national and international policies limiting refugee children’s play opportunities. Despite many hardships, play endures, offering refugee children fleeting moments of escape from the trials of their lives.

Authors

• Sandra El Gemayel, University College London

• Rosie Flewitt, Manchester Metropolitan University