May 27, 2021

From 27 May to 6 June 2021, the Consumer Electronics Exhibition will host its annual IT Show which often has attractive deals on consumer electronic products. In today’s digital age, children face peer pressure over the appearance and performance of their digital devices. For low-income children, ownership of mobile phones may be seen by their parents to be a luxury. Their attempts to own mobile phones may therefore create new conflicts with their parents. How then do low-income children weigh their personal wants and family circumstances? The dilemma they face is explored in ‘Relational dimensions in poor children’s decisions to obtain a mobile phone – the case of Singapore’ (Journal of Children and Media, 2021).

Associate Professor Esther Goh (NUS Social Work) and Leon Kuczynski (University of Guelph, Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition) presented research participants with a hypothetical scenario. They asked if a child should spend a $250 scholarship cash prize on a desired mobile phone, or abide by their mothers’ wishes to purchase school supplies. The scenario allowed participants to insert their own experiences which the researchers then used to analyse decision-making processes of low-income children.

Some children were found to be more individualistic. They insisted on owning a mobile phone to avoid being ‘left out’ or teased by their peers. Some also used emotions to persuade their mothers, for instance by showing a sad face and saying ‘please’.

Nonetheless, most low-income children considered other factors, including family relations and financial situations. Almost half of children obeyed their mothers’ decisions. They understood the importance of supporting their education and the luxury of mobile phones at a young age. Others would adapt their strategies such as compromising on a cheaper phone to purchase some school supplies. This demonstrates that children are aware of social relations and family needs, and manage their individual desires and strategies accordingly.

This project is part of the researchers’ wider interests to study and showcase how children from low-income families are active in managing their circumstances. Their low-income background provides a unique backdrop to understand how children act on their personal desires, while being constrained by their parental figures and recognising their role in managing family finances.

Read the article here.

Read the research protocol here.