Street-connected children often suffer from depression, anxiety and trauma, which then may lead to substance abuse and a risk of suicide. The stigma and social exclusion faced by street-connected children has a negative impact on their mental well-being. This may also vary from country to country.
The problem is global and it is escalating - brought on by poverty, family disintegration, abuse, abandonment, neglect and social unrest. Street children are vulnerable. Prostitution, trafficking, crime, drugs, gang violence, even police violence - all of these are real risks for many, already reality for others.
What happen to children if they are in the street?
Street children are often subject to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or, in extreme cases, murder by "clean-up squads" that have been hired by local businesses or police.
Street children face difficulties in providing themselves with good sources of food, clean drinking water, health care services, toilets and bath facilities, and adequate shelter. They also suffer from absence of parental protection and security due to the missing connection with their families.
Street-connected children often lack access to basic essentials like food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. This makes them vulnerable to malnutrition, illness and injury. Lack of access to essentials can also cause children to become street-connected as they seek means to get by.
Streetism is a world-wide, socio-economic problem and vulnerable children continue to migrate to the streets due to personal and contextual reasons. Attempts have been made to prevent streetism however; these interventions tend to ignore the need to recognise and incorporate the views of street children.
What are some of the negative impacts neighborhood's can have on children?
A “disadvantaged neighbourhood” is one in which people generally have lower levels of income, employment, and education. Growing up in these conditions can cause stress for children, and is associated with cognitive problems and mental health issues in young people.
This may be the result of family disintegration, conflict, poverty, HIV/AIDS, abuse or neglect. Life on the street exposes children to a myriad of risks and robs them of the safety and comfort that a family environment can offer.
There are estimated to be around 120 million children living on the streets in the world (30 million in Africa, 30 million in Asia, and 60 million in South America). Often victims of all kinds of abuse, these children still have rights…
Street play is a way for children to meet and form friendships with other children on their street, who they may not come across normally (they may be at different schools or of different ages). It also provides more space and freedom to move.
The term "children of the street" refers to those who live on the streets without adult supervision, while "children on the street" refers to those who beg and do menial work on the streets and return home to contribute towards their families' livelihood (Richter, 1988:7; 1991:5).
The quality of life of these children is poor, as they are exposed violence, deprived living conditions and a lack of access to basic necessities, healthcare and education.
A total of 131,370 children were living in temporary accommodation as of the end of March 2023. While this number has fluctuated in recent years, charities have described the new data as “very worrying”. For the same period in 2022, the number of children living in temporary accommodation was 119,780.
A few of these factors may include: difficulties with attachments, including inconsistency in parenting. unstable family environments, including transitioning often and violence within the home. social and economic disadvantage, including access to resources.
How Many Children are Homeless in the USA? One in every 30 American children goes to sleep without a home of his or her own each year. Approximately 2.5 million children are homeless annually in the United States. On any given day, there are approximately 443,000 children in foster care in the United States.
