Editorial Perspective: Assessing developmental risk in cultural context: the case of ‘left behind’ children in rural China

Abstract

The role of family factors in developmental risk is widely acknowledged in general child psychology and psychiatry. It is also well understood that rapid socio‐economic change can lead to stress on community and family systems that can place children at risk. However, the impact of these processes is likely to vary as a function of the cultural setting in which they occur. Since the reform and opening up policy started in the late 1970s, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth and urban development. The process of industrialization has accelerated rural reforms in China and increased agricultural productivity and freed agricultural labor. As a consequence large numbers of former rural laborers have headed into more urbanized areas, looking for better employment opportunities and sources of income, while having no choice but to leave their children living in rural hometowns. . This forms the background of “left behind” children in rural China. “Left behind” children are those under 18 years of age who live with a single parent or their extended family in rural areas while one or both of their parents are away seeking employment in urban settings. The purpose of this editorial perspective is to describe the Chinese “left behind” children phenomenon and to highlight the need for research to provide an evidence‐based component to the assessment of risks in any policy review.