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Small Steps - Argentina
 

An exploration of childhood in Argentina

INTRODUCTION

EDUCATION

HEALTH

SOCIETY

CONCLUSION

  • Understanding ECEC internationally challenges our assumptions as practitioners (Georgeson & Payler).

  • Avoid imposing Western ideals; cultural diversity matters.

  • Important to distinguish between an ethnocentric and cultural relativistic perspective (Westwood, J.)

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Introduction

  • Argentina basics:

    • 2nd largest in South America; 4,000 km long and 10x the size of UK

    • Diverse geography: Andes mountains, grassy plains of Pampas and the Ibera Wetlands (swamps).

    • ​Tierra del Fuego archipelago: capital, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world

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Ibera Wetlands (swamps) - very important fresh water reservoir for supplying the region and a precious ecosystem which is home to many endangered species of wildlife including snakes, otter and deer​

Rich culture: Spanish colonial architecture, often found in Baroque style seen in the major cities of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Mendoza - work of Italian architects such as André Blanqui and Antonio Masella

No introduction needed!

Patagonian Ice Fields - Important site of geological study and climate change. NASA research indicates the ice fields are melting away rapidly and contributing to sea level rise

Seals of Tierra del Fuego - this subantarctic archipelago is home to Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the world  

The Pampas - covers 1.2 million sq. km and home to stunning array of wildlife including Pampas Deer, Maned Wolves, Cougars and Capybaras

Traditional Argentinian Asado and Chimichurri

Yummy...

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  • Population 46 million; 2/3 of UK’s.

  • Similar % of children aged 0-14 as the UK

  • Over 1/2 population lives in and around Buenos Aires

  • Life expectancy 77 years vs 81 UK.

  • 97% white (mainly Spanish, Italian).

  • 3% minorities including indigenous population consisting of 39 groups, situated mainly in rural provinces especially the poorer provinces of the North shown in red/dark red. Then, mestizo (mixed) persons and other non-white groups

  • Welsh-Argentine community (~50,000 people).

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Argentina enjoys abundance of natural resources including oil, natural gas, lithium and large scale agriculture but is heavily reliant on imports due to small manufacturing base. It is also highly exposed to global commodity prices. This results in violent swings in its balance of trade from surplus to deficit and vice versa

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Ranked 22nd in the world by GDP as against 6th for the UK (Worldometer) which is one of the privileged G7 economies

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Ranks 58th on Legatum's Prosperity Index vs. 12th for the UK

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For reference, the London economy alone ($760bn) eclipses that of Argentina $646bn (Statista, 2023).

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Important to consider that UK has considerably more resources available to invest in ECEC and other childhood initiatives

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Argentina has been dogged with economic problems dating back to the 1930s since the take over of the military junta which ushered in an era of exploding foreign debt, hyperinflation, capital flight and suppression of wages

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It has defaulted on its sovereign debt 9x and entered into 21 IMF rescue packages since 1956

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Crucial to understand childhood in Argentina in proper economic context as economic health is a key predictor of multiple child related outcomes. It correlates with quality of nutrition, housing, education, mental health and is linked to stunted growth, obesity, childhood mortality, orphanage admissions, school dropout rates. Everything that matters, basically. Association backed by numerous studies (Wang, Haidong et al.

The Lancet, Volume 384, Issue 9947, 957 - 979, Pediatrics (2016) 137 (4): e20160339)

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Argentinian Peso reduced to near worthless value against USD. Important to consider the exchange rate in the context of government spending on childcare and other metrics denominated in USD

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"Don't cry for me, Argentina"

  • Peronism: foundational political identity espousing social justice, nationalism, populism.

  • Neither Left or Right

  • Eva Peron (First Lady) became a lasting feminine icon and held in great affection

  • Eva Perón: major influence on child welfare. Campeonatos Evita and Eva Peron Foundation

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Milei's Reforms

Radical and aggressive economic reforms under Javier Milei in favour of libertarianism: big spending cuts, reduced state, weakened trade unions

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The long-term impact on children's development and well-being remains a critical concern due to drastic cuts to social services and health programs

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Complex situation for Argentina's children. While some macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation, have shown improvement, the immediate effects on child poverty, health, and education have been severe

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International Criticism: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, have expressed concern over the government's failure to guarantee children's rights especially regarding the decisions not to distribute food and funds to soup kitchens and community spaces, the increase in child poverty, and proposed legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility

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Education

  • Early childhood a legal right (Ley Nacional de Educación 2006) as for UK

  • Covers 45 days to 5 years; mandatory schooling from 5.

  • Poor Pre-School Enrolment Rates:

    • Argentina: 41.3% (World Bank, 2021).

    • UK: 94% of 3–4-year-olds (DfE, 2023)

    • Emphasis on play, creativity and holistic development. Arguably more relaxed.

    • UK: Although holistic development is embedded in EYFS, teaching styles is somewhat more structured and outcome-focused per EYFS Learning Goals

    • UK pre-schoolers benefit from funded hours

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Professional Teaching Requirements and Regional Inequalities

  • Teacher qualifications:

    • Argentina: Degree required; regional variability.

    • UK: Level 2 diploma minimum + ongoing development.

  • Ratios:

    • Argentina: 1:15 for 3-5 yrs.

    • UK: Much stricter staffing ratios.​

    • Staffing ratio is even worse in underfunded regions such as the Chaco province

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Parental School Involvement

  • Parental involvement:

    • Argentina: Active (school councils, projects).

    • UK: More formal (PTAs)

    • Congregation of mothers seen here in San Salvador, outside a school which is due to be demolished imminently. San Salvador is in Jujuy, a Northwestern province bordering Chile and Bolivia and one of the poorest in the country

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  • SEND provision:

    • Argentina: Limited, mainly urban.

    • No EHCPs or SENCOs.

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Indigenous children disadvantaged by geographical location, language barriers (as they grow up often speaking their indigenous language) and widespread prejudice according to national surveys by INADI

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Discriminatory attitudes persist among teachers

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ECEC Public Funding - Argentina v UK

UK spends arounds $4,000 per child on ECEC (OECD, 2023) less than 1/3 of that of Norway and Sweden

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No per-child figure published by Argentina but may be deduced based on $710 million spent in 2018 and an estimated 3.5 million children aged 0-5. So, only $200 per child (2018 exchange rate used).

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  • Challenges:

    • Huge inequality, poverty, and uneven ECEC educational exclusion (Early Years journal)

    • Neoliberal policies have led to divestment in ECEC

    • Situation has been aggravated by COVID-19 pandemic

    • Urgent reform required according to many commentators

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Health

  • Three-tier healthcare system:

    • Public (free), Private, Social Security.

    • Public widely used; variable quality.

  • Issues:

    • Underfunding, overcrowding, outdated equipment.

    • Healthcare worker emigration.

  • Funding:

    • 8-9% of GDP (~$65 billion in 2023).

    • NHS (UK) projected ~$267 billion by 2025.

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NHS Projected Funding 2025

NHS Funding

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Plan Nacer initiated in 2004 was created specifically to improve maternal and child health. It provides free check-ups for pregnant women and children, an aggressive and free vaccination program, nutritional support and growth monitoring and early detection and treatment of diseases or developmental issues and has some overlap with the NHS's Better Births initiative

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Mil Dias program focuses on the first thousand days of life, targeting highly vulnerable children, mothers, and pregnant women. It provides comprehensive support in health, nutrition, and family care

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Under 5s with overweight status at 12.4% and childhood obesity more generally has been on the rise in Argentina though still well below UK overweight/obesity rates

Obesity 

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Childhood Vaccination Rates

  • Vaccination:

    • Free and mandatory; real uptake poor (~50% measles second dose).

    • Drop due to supply issues, anti-vaccine sentiment, Covid disruptions.

    • UK rates mostly >90%.

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Pollution of the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin 

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Poor sanitation for residents in the proximity of the basin leading to waterborne diseases and high rate of lead exposure in children and its health effects such cognitive development delays

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Major clean-up operation started in 2006 but river remains highly polluted

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Northern provinces suffer frequent droughts and interrupted access to water

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Air quality poor in major urban centres. High rate of recurring wheezing in 1 year olds (19%)

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Society

  • Human rights reform after 1983 dictatorship.

  • Childhood celebrated as distinct, valuable phase.

  • Children’s rights:

  • Ratified UNCRC and its protocols.

  • Children Act equivalents in the UK.

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Día del Niño (Child's Day): Huge annual national celebration of children every August

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  • Strong family culture; multi-generational households common.

    • Physical affection and emotional closeness valued.

  • Child rearing differences:

    • Lower classes: Relatives/neighbours care for children.

    • Affluent families: Babysitters, day-care

    • Cultural identity:

    • Children instilled with a sense of national pride and taught about important colonial figures.

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Scene depicting brutality inflicted on indigenous peoples during the Viceroyalty of New Spain

First Founding (Primera Fundación) of Buenos Aires (1536) by Pedro de Mendoza

A second founding (settlement) by Juan de Garay followed in 1580 becoming Puerto de Santa María de los Buenos Aires

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Scene depicting torture of Native Americans by Spanish Conquistadors

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  • Play and artistic expression:

    • Valued culturally; traditional games, storytelling, music, dance.

    • Family and community-centered activities.

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Conclusion

  • Overall quality of life for children good by Latin American standards.

  • High literacy; free public education; universal healthcare.

  • Issues:

    • Severe regional disparities (Northern provinces worse).

    • Indigenous children highly disadvantaged.

  • Economic instability:

    • Widespread child poverty due to economic turbulence and hyperinflation

    • Hopeful signs: poverty rate dropping (38%).

    • Stability and regional equity are key for future improvements.

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