Pathways and Experiences of Children in Beach Vending: Findings From Cox's Bazar Sea Beach in Bangladesh.

Background: Child beach vendors comprise a unique segment of child laborers, characterized by distinct characteristics, experiences, and challenges. Despite being vital players in the economy of Cox's Bazar sea beach, these underprivileged children remain overlooked in policy planning and welfare programs due to the mobile, seasonal, and informal nature of work. The challenges and realities confronted by the child beach vendors remain less explored. This study aimed to investigate the pathways leading children to beach vending and highlight their relevant experiences. Methods: This phenomenological type of qualitative study was conducted from September to December 2023. The study enrolled 18 child beach vendors conveniently from the Kolatoli, Sugondha, Laboni, and Patuartek points of Cox's Bazar sea beach. We obtained informed assent from each child, as well as consent from their guardian, and collected data through in-depth interviews using an interview guide. Results: A total of 6 themes and 18 sub-themes emerged through phenomenological reduction. Three themes describing pathways to beach vending were identified: economic (poor family income, loss of earning members, and escalated family expenses), psychosocial (social negligence, humiliation at school, and motivation), and environmental (imitating peers, vending opportunities at the beach, and family environment). Three themes emerging from the experiences of child vendors included physical challenges (tiredness, illness, and injuries), deprivation and coping strategies (interrupted education, school experience, and grouping), and psychological impacts (mental stress, satisfaction, and dreams). Conclusion: Engagement of children in beach vending is a violation of labor law and children's rights. Poverty, unmet basic needs, and social negligence were major push factors, whereas earning opportunity was the primary pull factor for child beach vending. Child vendors were found to experience detrimental health consequences, academic disruptions, and various forms of abuse. Coordinated interventions, including school-based incentives, vocational training, and social safety net programs, could reduce both the necessity and appeal for children to become beach vendors.