Resource Archive
posted on 08 Mar 2026
The social constructs of childhood: with reference to ‘Refugee Boy’ by Sumaya Begum
The Letterpress Project is always delighted to publish the work of students who have written about or used books as a key part of their assignments. Here we showcase an essay from Newman University student, Sumaya Begum.
This essay was submitted in response to the level four unit ‘Constructs of Childhood’, as a part of Newman University’s Early Childhood Studies undergraduate BA Honours degree. I have chosen Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah because it highlights the challenging childhood experiences faced by Alem after becoming separated from his parents and seeking asylum in the UK. Set in the late 1990s during the Eritrea and Ethiopia conflict.
The novel reflects social and political factors shaping children’s lives. Alem’s situation challenges romantic discourses of childhood that portray children as innocent and carefree. Additionally, the writer links his story to puritanical discourses that emphasise hardship, resilience, and responsibility.
You can read the full essay by clicking on the link below: