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
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/29709 |
| Date | 04 May 2001 |
| Creators | Wangsgard, David B. |
| Contributors | Rosenberger, Nancy R. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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