Street Children Encounter Many Problems
Street Children Encounter Many Problems
The image of homeless children who live and work on the street is becoming familiar to each of us. Some come from street families. Others live mainly in the street but may go to the family home in the evening or make sporadic visits. Yet others always sleep out. A proportion of them has endured in jails or other reformatory institutions. Estimates about street children differ widely. Their mobility and the fact that they move in and out of the street makes them difficult to count. Particular circumstances such as warfare, deteriorating economies and natural disasters can increase their numbers. UNICEF is extremely alarmed by the growing numbers of orphans on the streets.
On the one hand, some types of work make useful, positive contributions to a child’s development, and therefore help children learn about responsibility and develop particular skills that will benefit them and the rest of society. Often, the practised work is a vital source of income that helps them sustain themselves and their families. On the other hand, millions of children do hazardous works in harmful conditions, putting their health, education, personal and social development, and even their lives at risk. Children are often trafficked, that is to say transported by the threat or use of violence, deception, or coercion so they can be exploited as forced or enslaved workers for sex or labour.
They become more vulnerable, cheaper to hire and are less likely to demand higher wages or better working conditions. Education seems to be expansive for some parents who feel that what their children will learn is irrelevant to the reality of their everyday lives and futures, which perpetuates poverty. Many working children don’t have the opportunity to go to school and often grow up to be unskilled adults trapped in poorly paid jobs, and in will look to their own children to supplement the family’s income.
Social vulnerability, family dysfunction, and often fuelled by poverty are the main causes that put pressure on families and drive children on to the street. Girls make up between 3% and 30% of the street child population. Higher rates of drug use and involvement in petty crime mike them vulnerable to violence from other like them. Therefore, they prefer to belong to a gang for protection.
Most of these children suffer from respiratory infections, skin infection or even from AIDS. Besides, they represent a major reason for the increases of violence. So, why not taking urgent efficient measures that can help in reducing this negative phenomenon in our cities and consequently empower the adult of tomorrow?