The Capability Approach to Adolescent Poverty in China: the Profile, Decomposition and Predictors of Deprivation

Abstract

In response to the government’s policy to reduce child poverty, there has been a decade-long wave of child poverty measurement in China, with the majority of this work having considered the matter in terms of material life conditions. However, from the viewpoint of capability theorists, material affluence cannot guarantee human well-being alone. They argue for a more comprehensive poverty analysis in terms of freedom, opportunities and development. Accepting this idea, we decided to apply the capability approach to analyze the 2014 adolescent sample within the Chinese Family Population Study. Through the capability lens, we mapped various profiles of functionings and capabilities poverty, according to the features of these adolescents. Also, through poverty decomposition analysis, physical ill-health and severe lack of participation were found to be the major contributors to the distinct forms of adolescent poverty. Moreover, regression analysis helped us to identify four types of factors exhibiting a significant relationship with the development of adolescents, namely: geographical location, adolescent romance, pocket money and parental involvement in children’s education. It is anticipated that the findings will advance our understanding of adolescent poverty in China, thus allowing for a more empowering policy approach to expand the capabilities and freedoms for this age group.