Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2009. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 121 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 70-80)."The goal of this research was to explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of the street children about the cyclical pattern of recidivism. To gain in- depth information regarding this issue, a qualitative research approach was followed. Data were collected by means of story-telling, guided by two foundational question themes. Firstly, experiences of family life and schooling and secondly, experiences of survival on the street and repeated criminal involvement. Data were analyzed according to the guideline discussed in Creswell (l998). Data were verified by means of measures suggested by Creswell (l998). Findings indicated that participants in this study suffered severe emotional and physical and material deprivation in their family contexts before moving to the street. Survival on the street depended on befriending other street children; begging on the street; abusing substances and getting involved in crime. Motivational factors for repeatedly being involved in crime were peer pressure, substance abuse, no fear of prosecution and opportunity/mischief. It was clear that participants were caught up in a “sub-culture” of life on the street.

M.A. / The aim of organizations working with street children is to reunite the children with their families and communities. Previous research pertaining to street children has focused on the causes and extent of the street child phenomenon, life on the streets, programmes for street children, and host communities (localities where children sleep on the streets). The focus of this study is on source communities (neighbourhoods where the children’s families are located). The attitudes of source communities towards children who are returning to their families is indicative of the level of support these children are likely to experience within the community. The aim of this study has been to explore the attitudes of role-players within a source community towards former street children. The role-player groups identified for the study were educators, neighbours, youth groups, church groups, peers and spaza shop owners. These role-players were perceived as the ones that the children were likely to interact with directly. Focus group discussions were held with educators, neighbours, youth group representatives, church group representatives and peers. Individual interviews were held with spaza shop owners for logistical reasons. For the purpose of this study the concept “attitudes” was understood as having both cognitive and affective components. The study took place in Refilwe, a satellite of Cullinan. The conclusions drawn from this study were as follows: 1. Attitudes towards former street children seem to be based on participants’ perceptions of children living on the streets. 2. Lack of accurate information about street children contributed to the rejection and labelling of the children. 3. There was a widespread assumption that street children inevitably become involved in crime. 4. Fears were expressed that children returning from the street would influence other children in the community negatively. 5. There was ambivalence about whether or not the child could be trusted once he returned home. 6. Participants believed that it was important for the child to return home. 7. Several role-players were identified as being responsible for the child’s well-being and his reintegration into the community. 8. The return of former street children was perceived as an additional burden on an already under-resourced community. 9. Participants perceived a need for programmes to prepare the child, the family and the community. The following recommendations were made: 1. A survey of the attitudes of other source communities would be useful in identifying common themes. 2. Organizations working with street children need to organize awareness campaigns in order to educate source communities about street children. 3. It is important to involve the community in the preparation for the children’s return home 4. Community development programmes are needed in Refilwe. Employment opportunities and additional resources would increase the community’s capacity to care for vulnerable groups. 5. A full-time social service office needs to be established in Refilwe. The focus group discussions unleashed the raising of a range of social issues. The seriousness of these issues warranted the inclusion of a chapter on additional findings. / Ms. H.F. Ellis

Thesis (Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2000 / Refer to document

<p><p>Lehtikunnas, Katri Johanna (2009). <em>Pelotas</em><em> as seen through the eyes of its street children. An empirical investigation of the child-friendliness of a midsize Brazilian city.</em> Human Geography, advanced level, master thesis for master exam in Human Geography, 30 ECTS credits.</p><p>Supervisor: Maria Nordström</p><p>Language: English</p><p> </p><p>The aim of this study was to understand the lives of the street children in Pelotas in Southern Brazil. Utilizing multi-method approach I have outlined normal days of these children. Observation, semi-structure interviews individually and in focus groups and walking tours with twelve street children provided vast knowledge about the geographies of their activities and locational choices. This study illustrates the picture the street children have of their city. The conceptual framework of this study is based on the concepts of child-friendly cities and attachment to place. The results analyzed by using these concepts reveal the extremely challenging situation of street children in the margin of society. Settings for a good and balanced life may be there, but actualization of those settings is trivial. Abuse, violence, drugs, discrimination and misunderstanding frame their everyday life. Possibilities to live a normal life are minimal. In this light child-friendliness of Pelotas is evaluated. Based on the results, I claim that these concepts cannot be directly applied to street children. To be able to improve the livelihoods of these children a key tool is cooperation with them. The projects need to be designed and planned <em>with</em> them, not <em>for</em> them. Collaboration between the children and the mainstream society is needed to get sustainable results.</p></p>

<p>This article examines how former street children experienced going from street life to life within an organization. Through semi-structured interviews with six children and one field worker, the aim has been to identify key points that made these children going all the way while other left, but also to highlight challenges and difficulties along the way. Reports from Ghana and other parts of the world about a low rate of success in working with these children made the subject interesting. Findings suggest that the process of leaving the street is more than just a physical move. The ability of the organizations to motivate and assist the children to change character has shown to be very critical for making the children stay within the program. Also the influence and assistance between the boys themselves has been of uttermost importance.</p>

Street children are a significant presence in Hue, Viet Nam's tourist center, where they eat, sleep, work, and play. Utilizing ethnographic methods, this study examines how tourism impacts the lives of street children involved in the industry. The street children have generally been compelled to leave home because of adverse conditions there. Prospects of making considerable amounts of money, as well as freedom and good times, drew the children to the street and to Hue's tourist center, which they considered to be a better option than life at home. Over time, the street children have gained insights into Western culture through their interactions with Western tourists. Using their understanding of Western tourists' values, the street children manipulate and exploit the tourists for financial gain. The street children's lifestyle, which is supported by tourism, is contrary to highly regarded Vietnamese cultural values, and thus puts them at odds with mainstream society and local authorities. As non-domiciled youths, who exist in an exposed and uncertain environment and elicit disdain from members of mainstream society, the street children are indeed vulnerable. Given the street children's circumstances, they perceived tourism as a positive thing in their lives because of the success they enjoyed from their involvement in tourism. A resolution to the street children issue could be achieved by remedying the factors of abuse and poverty at home that result in children living on the street. Providing street children with a safe place to sleep, education and vocational training, food, and protection from abuse by police are simple steps that would increase the children's quality of life. Street children are not presently considered legitimate stakeholders in the tourism industry. Researchers and tourism consultants need to be informed about street children's interests and participation in the industry, so that they can act as advocates for these unrecognized stakeholders. Theories of globalization and imperialism in the context of tourism are challenged by this study, which demonstrates that the consequences of tourism are not always and only negative, especially as perceived by local populations. This study also gives cause to reconsider the nature of childhood and suggests that there are possibilities beyond Western expectations. / Graduation date: 2001

Lehtikunnas, Katri Johanna (2009). Pelotas as seen through the eyes of its street children. An empirical investigation of the child-friendliness of a midsize Brazilian city. Human Geography, advanced level, master thesis for master exam in Human Geography, 30 ECTS credits. Supervisor: Maria Nordström Language: English   The aim of this study was to understand the lives of the street children in Pelotas in Southern Brazil. Utilizing multi-method approach I have outlined normal days of these children. Observation, semi-structure interviews individually and in focus groups and walking tours with twelve street children provided vast knowledge about the geographies of their activities and locational choices. This study illustrates the picture the street children have of their city. The conceptual framework of this study is based on the concepts of child-friendly cities and attachment to place. The results analyzed by using these concepts reveal the extremely challenging situation of street children in the margin of society. Settings for a good and balanced life may be there, but actualization of those settings is trivial. Abuse, violence, drugs, discrimination and misunderstanding frame their everyday life. Possibilities to live a normal life are minimal. In this light child-friendliness of Pelotas is evaluated. Based on the results, I claim that these concepts cannot be directly applied to street children. To be able to improve the livelihoods of these children a key tool is cooperation with them. The projects need to be designed and planned with them, not for them. Collaboration between the children and the mainstream society is needed to get sustainable results.

This article examines how former street children experienced going from street life to life within an organization. Through semi-structured interviews with six children and one field worker, the aim has been to identify key points that made these children going all the way while other left, but also to highlight challenges and difficulties along the way. Reports from Ghana and other parts of the world about a low rate of success in working with these children made the subject interesting. Findings suggest that the process of leaving the street is more than just a physical move. The ability of the organizations to motivate and assist the children to change character has shown to be very critical for making the children stay within the program. Also the influence and assistance between the boys themselves has been of uttermost importance.

Juvenile prostitution is a social issue of major concern and controversy in our society. Research documenting high rates of violence, substance abuse, HIV risk-behaviour, and other such risks and problems have reinforced arguments to protect and prohibit youth from prostitution activity. However, presenting youths' experiences in prostitution as unidimensionally negative and deficiency-based potentially creates other important problems for youth, perhaps explaining criticisms of social services for being generally ineffective and, at times, aggravating youths' situations. Left out in these debates are often the voices of those who matter most, the youth. The present study has sought to hear and articulate youths' voices, suggesting that prostitution is a diverse and complex reality and that effective intervention begins with hearing voices and respecting choices. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study with ten street youth with experiences in prostitution as a minor and three key informants in youth protection.