Across the globe, countless children find themselves homeless and forced to live on the streets due to circumstances such as poverty, war, violence, abuse, exploitation, and sheer desperation. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child defines street children as those who either depend on the streets to live and/or work—whether alone, with peers, or with family—or those who have formed strong connections with public spaces, making the streets a vital part of their daily lives and identities.
The situations that lead children to the streets are complex and multifaceted. While some still maintain contact with their families—who may be extremely poor—they work on the streets to contribute to the family's income, returning home at night. Others have fled from home or institutions to escape psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, finding no shelter except the streets. These children often move from place to place, living in shelters or abandoned buildings.
Some children are homeless alongside their families, displaced by poverty, natural disasters, or conflict. These families frequently move, carrying their possessions with them, and the children often work on the streets with other family members. Additionally, children with disabilities are sometimes abandoned by their families, while others become separated from their families for extended periods or are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS.
The Challenges and Misconceptions
The term "street children" often carries negative connotations, leading society to perceive them as threats or sources of criminal behavior. This label overlooks the diverse and complex realities of their lives. A relatively new term, "streetism," is used to describe the condition of living on or being of the streets, particularly in Anglophone Africa. It reflects the deep connections these children have with public spaces such as streets, markets, parks, and stations, which are integral to their identities.
Drivers of Street-Connected and Homeless Children
The reasons children live or work on the streets are as varied and complex as the children themselves. Each child has a unique story, and the factors that drive them to the streets differ across countries, cities, and even individual circumstances. Key drivers include economic poverty, displacement due to natural disasters and conflicts, family breakdowns, and a host of other social issues.
Key Factors Leading to Street-Connectedness and Homelessness
- Poverty: Economic deprivation is a major driver. Children from impoverished homes often find themselves on the streets in search of income or food for themselves and their families.
- Parental or Carer Deaths: Orphaned children or those who have lost their primary caregivers can end up homeless, particularly in regions with inadequate care systems.
- Parental Neglect: Neglected children may have no option but to turn to the streets to survive.
- Violence and Abuse: Children who experience violence and abuse at home or within their communities often flee to the streets in search of safety. This includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
- Urbanization: Rapid urban expansion leads to overcrowding and overstretched government services, increasing the risk of poverty and homelessness among children.
- HIV/AIDS: Children affected by HIV/AIDS may face abandonment or ostracism from their families and communities, leaving them without a home.
- Forced Criminal Activity: Some children are coerced into criminal activities like theft, drug trafficking, and prostitution, forcing them onto the streets.
- Rejection for "Moral" Reasons: Children may be abandoned due to perceived moral failings, such as being born out of wedlock or engaging in behaviors deemed immoral by their families.
- Mental Health Issues: Children suffering from mental health problems might leave their communities if they are not supported or may be forced out due to stigma and discrimination.
- Substance Abuse: Some children turn to the streets to sustain their addictions or because they have been expelled from their homes due to substance abuse.
Challenges Faced by Street-Connected and Homeless Children
Street-connected and homeless children face numerous challenges and human rights violations. These include child trafficking, violence, exploitation, recruitment for war and conflict, discrimination, and the denial of basic rights such as access to health care, education, adequate living conditions, and food.
Health Issues
Street-connected and homeless children are highly susceptible to serious health problems, including:
- HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Due to a lack of protection and healthcare, many street children contract these diseases.
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence: Exposure to substance abuse is common as a means of coping with their harsh realities.
- Exposure to Harmful Chemicals and Pollutants: Their living environments often expose them to harmful substances, leading to respiratory diseases like asthma and pneumonia.
- Poor Nutrition: Limited access to nutritious food results in malnutrition and associated health issues.
- Lack of Basic Healthcare: These children struggle to access healthcare, adequate sanitation, clean water, and food, exacerbating their health problems.
Education Barriers
Street-connected and homeless children face unique barriers to education:
- Invisibility to State Systems: Without a permanent address or valid identification documents, these children are often invisible to educational systems.
- Interrupted Schooling: Frequent absence from school makes reintegration difficult. Those who manage to attend school often face discrimination and marginalization from educators and peers.
Vulnerability to Trafficking and Exploitation
Street children are highly vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation due to their lack of identification and protection:
- Child Trafficking: Traffickers exploit these children, with girls being particularly targeted for prostitution and sex work.
- Violence: Lack of protection leaves them susceptible to physical abuse, often at the hands of law enforcement or government officials.
- Abuse: Street children are targeted by abusers who sexually assault them, recruit them for criminal activities, or force them to beg and steal.
Gang Recruitment
Street gangs often act as surrogate families for many street children:
- Protection and Support: Gangs can offer protection from external violence and harassment, providing a sense of belonging.
- Criminal Activities: However, gang involvement often draws children into violent criminal activities and drug use.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
The harsh realities of street life lead some children to substance abuse:
- Coping Mechanism: Substance use helps them cope with trauma, illness, hunger, and discrimination.
- Long-Term Impact: Long-term substance use during developmental years can cause lasting physical and mental health problems.
Mental health issues are prevalent among street-connected children:
- Depression and Anxiety: Many suffer from depression, anxiety, and trauma, leading to substance abuse and a risk of suicide.
- Social Stigma: The stigma and exclusion they face further deteriorate their mental well-being. Studies show that street children in different countries internalize negative societal views, impacting their self-perception and mental health.
Legal System Challenges
Street-connected children often face discrimination within the legal system:
- Criminalization: Many are processed through justice systems for perceived rather than actual crimes, such as begging, vagrancy, or running away from home.
- Status Offenses: Children are often arrested for noncriminal acts considered violations only because they are minors, like loitering.
- Lack of Registration: Not being registered at birth leaves them vulnerable to legal repercussions simply for their status as homeless children.
