Humanity is clearly distinct from other species of animals. Distinct in the sense of better, more intelligent, more creative. One distinction is more distinct than others, which is human childhood. A baby duck coming out of an egg starts swimming immediately and does not require much effort and care by family members. A baby cuff begins running on the second day of his life and one can see a cuff jumping around and playing on the third. Nevertheless, the most intelligent of the species appears to be the least independent of all. A human infant takes years to learn to walk and talk. A human being is not considered grown up until 18 in most countries and before that they require constant care and support. Infancy is the time a human being needs the most support from the immediate and extended families as well as the community.
However, I have met children who are independent at ten years of age, some even younger. I have met children who act, think and behave like adults. Their childhood was stolen from them and replaced with responsibility to sustain themselves and survive without a family or community. They are the street children of Bangladesh known as “Tukai” or the children who collect garbage, that has a market value such a plastic and steel, to sell. They do things that are unimaginable by even many adults. They embody the “Man-child” of Carl Jung. If one may ask, where there childhood go ?
“Riding on a wooden past” Photo Taken: Shibpur, Bangladesh.
“Invaluable Garbage” Location: Sylhet, Bangladesh
“Eyes of the streets” Location: City of Sylhet, Bangladesh.
“Emotions Untitled” Location: Chatak, Bangladesh.
“Fun for the Fittest” Location: Shibpur, Bangladesh.