Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 191-201).

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105) Also available in print.

"In a field work placement as a student, this writer had his first experience in serving Runaways. This aroused questions such as: who are these people who run away; what are their family backgrounds; how do they come to the Atlanta Travelers Aid Society; how does that agency help them; and what becomes of them after leaving that agency. In an attempt to find answers to these questions several case records of Runaways were read. It was found that the details of working out solutions to each individual Runaway's problems obscured the general characteristics of the Runaways as a group and the services offered them. It is the purpose of this study to compile, in statistical form, the measurable data from the case records of all Runaways known to the Atlanta Travelers Aid Society in a one year period. These data are presented in a manner that will permit their comparison with the data found in other studies of Runaways and studies of non-runaway groups"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "May 16, 1952." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work." / Advisor: J. Benjamin Beyrer, Professor Directing Study. / Graduate study in social work. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-45).

Much of prevailing research on street children pertains to their experiences at home prior to their abode on the streets, as well as their ordeal on the streets once they have departed from their homes. Only a few studies highlight their experiences in rehabilitation centres. Hence no study was undertaken to explore factors that contribute to their departure from rehabilitation centres and return to the streets. The aim of the study was to determine why do some of the street children who were formerly placed in the rehabilitation centres return to the streets. Thus the objectives of the study were to (a) determine the norms and values that are applicable in the centres and (b) determine whether their tendency of returning to the streets results from their negative perception of certain factors in the centres, as well as their desire to resume the life that they adopted on the street prior to their placement in the centres. The sample comprised of sixteen street children who have previously resided in the centres. Focus group interviews were adopted as data collection techniques, and the children were subjected to four focus group interviews. A semi-structured interview was also conducted to one of the caregivers in the centre. A Grounded Theory Approach, which is an integration of the methods proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990), Glaser (1992), Creswell (1998) and Strauss and Corbin (1998), was utilised for the analysis of the interviews. The findings evinced that the children's departure from the centres and return to the streets culminated from their familiarity with street life, desire to return home, discontentment with some of the living conditions in the centres, ill-treatment by the police and older boys, as well as their desire to resume street life, that is, to partake in income-generation activities and to be reunited with other children who reside on the streets. Much of their interaction with the caregivers also contributed to their retreat from the centres. The caregivers subjected them to discrimination, ill-treatment, false accusations, humiliation, restriction and threatened to transfer them to another centre. In addition to the above- mentioned factors, there were unanticipated findings that also emerged during the study. The findings were clustered as follows: factors that influenced the children to leave the centre and return home, factors that influenced the children to leave their homes and reside on the streets, factors that influenced the children to leave the streets and reside in the centre and factors that influenced the children to leave their homes and return to the streets. Therefore, the children's negative perception of the conditions that they were subjected to in the centres contributed to their return to the streets, as they related well with other street children and were able to earn an income on the streets. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Psychology / unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP, 2007) recently reported that there were 1.3 million homeless children living in the United States. The voices of homeless children and youth are often silent, as the literature generally reflects their experiences only indirectly, as related by care givers or social service providers. In contrast, this study provides firsthand accounts of the difficulties encountered by children and youth who struggle to complete their educations while being homeless. This qualitative case study examines the personal and educational experiences of seven adults who had been homeless as children or youth and who graduated from high school or earned their General Education Development (GED) equivalents. Two research questions framing this study were: 1. What do the voices of adults who received a high school diploma or GED tell us about their life experiences as a homeless student? 2. What do the voices of adults who received a high school diploma or GED tell us about their educational experiences as a homeless student? Purposeful sampling was used to locate participants. The population of this study was culturally diverse and included African American and European American individuals currently between the ages of 18 and 51 years. Data was generated via interviews using a protocol designed by the author. This instrument included both fixed and open-ended questions designed to allow participants the opportunity to share their educational and personal experiences. Various forms of documents were also consulted. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. Three categories regarding the life experiences of homeless children and youth emerged from the study; family, the road to homelessness and homelessness. Two categories were identified pertaining to educational experiences; determination or self-motivation and sources of support. The participants' testimonies confirmed some of the existing literature regarding homeless children and youth and, in particular, supported research conducted on the attributes of resiliency. In addition, participant narratives provided insight into the struggles of a marginalized segment of the school population by allowing us to hear their stories in their own words. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP, 2007) recently reported that there were 1.3 million homeless children living in the United States. The voices of homeless children and youth are often silent, as the literature generally reflects their experiences only indirectly, as related by care givers or social service providers. In contrast, this study provides firsthand accounts of the difficulties encountered by children and youth who struggle to complete their educations while being homeless. This qualitative case study examines the personal and educational experiences of seven adults who had been homeless as children or youth and who graduated from high school or earned their General Education Development (GED) equivalents. Two research questions framing this study were: 1. What do the voices of adults who received a high school diploma or GED tell us about their life experiences as a homeless student? 2. What do the voices of adults who received a high school diploma or GED tell us about their educational experiences as a homeless student? Purposeful sampling was used to locate participants. The population of this study was culturally diverse and included African American and European American individuals currently between the ages of 18 and 51 years old. Data was generated via interviews using a protocol designed by the author. This instrument included both fixed and open-ended questions designed to allow participant the opportunity to share their educational and personal experiences. Various forms of documents were also consulted. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. Three categories regarding the life experiences of homeless children and youth emerged from the study; family, the road to homelessness and homelessness. Two categories were identified pertaining to educational experiences; determination or self motivation and sources of support. The participants' testimonies confirmed some of the existing literature regarding homeless children and youth, and in particular supported research conducted on the attributes of resiliency. In addition participant narratives provided insight into the struggles of a marginalized segment of the school population by allowing us to hear their stories in their own words.

The street child drama being played out on South African streets continues the process of victimisation begun in the families and communities. Deprivation, poverty, and disorganisation are just some of the characteristics evident in the families and communities of street children . The decision to opt for street life in exchange for the grinding poverty and hardships of family and community life, is a stark illustration of children who have no other options, but a life on the streets. The process of becoming a street child ends with the runaway episode and opens new vistas of victimisation for street children .on the streets. One process ends therefore, and another one begins. It is argued in this study that street children are doubly victimised. Victimisation in the streets sets in motion the process of engaging , in deviant careers, which engenders further victimisation . Three themes are evident in the present study, these are causation, victimisation and deviance. From the discussion of these themes it is possible to construct a social profile of street children, before and after street life . Chapter one introduces the subject for study by discussing the background to the study, rationale behind it, aims, theoretical assumptions and definitions of relevant constructs . Chapter two reviews the literature on street children with specific reference to the causation, victimisation and deviance themes. Chapter three provides a methodological account of the research procedure. Chapters four and five present the findings from the empirical study. The perceptions of street children and service providers are discussed within a symbolic interactionistic perspective and highlight the victimisation and deviance themes in the study. Chapter six contains the recommendations and conclusions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1995.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: David W. Springer. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.