The phenomenon of street children

  
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CHAPTER ONE  
RESEARCH DESIGN 
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"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." 
John W Whitehead, essayist, The Stealing of America, 1983 
(www.myfamilycafe.topcities.com/Quotation/child.html) 
 
1.1 Structure of Research 
This dissertation’s first chapter is developed around nine issues concerning street 
children. All nine issues are briefly touched on in the statement of the problem and 
in the purpose of this study. This follows with the research questions, which have 
been used to assist with finding solutions to the problem. 
 
The Statement of the Problem 
Purpose of the Study 
Research Questions 
Methodology Used 
Expected Outcomes 
Background Information 
Chapter Overviews 
 
1.2 Statement of the problem 
The end of the twentieth century presents a hostile face to many millions of children 
in sub-Saharan Africa. There is growing concern for the protection as well as the 
survival of children. It is worsened by factors such as economic crisis, poverty, 
unemployment and lack of health care. Children all over the world are faced with 
similar problems that lead them to the streets. 
The phenomenon of street children is a pervasive and complex issue. The 
growing presence of children on the streets is one of the most disturbing aspects of 
the sub-Saharan scenario. Throughout the world the phenomena of street children is 
expanding exponentially.  
  
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These are children whose innocence has been shattered. They are deprived of 
parental care and guidance in their formative years. However, somehow they seem 
to remain dignified in their own way. The testimonies of their lives in the streets 
urges us not to remain silent to their tragedy. An increasing number of 
children/adolescents are being forced to the streets as a result of poverty, abuse, 
torture, rape, abandonment or because they are orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Street 
children have become a social phenomenon. This study provides an in-depth look at 
the reality that children confront each day on the streets. It also analyzes the 
conditions that compel children to leave their homes. 
Apartheid rule has been replaced by a democratic government. 
Transformation has begun and yet the children remain in poverty and in a state of 
homelessness. Past problems continue to plague the government. Westernisation and 
the apartheid era have impacted on the people of this country. Children, however 
seem to bear the final impact. They have borne the brunt of the repressive
1
 policies 
of the past. They have been placed in a position of great disadvantage and yet they 
are our most valued possession. 
Poverty is a mass phenomenon in South Africa. It certainly is a major cause 
for children taking to the streets. Most communities in South Africa are 
characterised by abject poverty. It is an immense challenge to the new government 
of South Africa. Poverty will begin to be alleviated when the basic needs of society 
are met. 
The African culture seems to be rapidly disappearing. This has impacted on 
family structures and patterns. Family norms and values are slowly being eroded and 
community bonds continue to weaken. Society seems to be desensitised to having 
children live on its streets. 
HIV/Aids has certainly affected the lives of thousands of people. Families 
and communities in our nation are soon affected in one way or another. Many are 
often found to be in a state of helplessness. Children are often left to face the 
hardship. Many find refuge on the streets.  
                                            
1
 Reference to Apartheid policy 
  
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Every avenue of resource available will be tackled. Existing facilities and 
service providers in Durban and its surrounding areas will be explored. Every effort 
will be utilised to create awareness in the community.  
Whilst the rights of children seem to be discarded, many are unaware of their 
rights. The relationships that they form on the streets and their survival strategies are 
also examined. These rights of children, as stipulated in the Convention on the 
Rights of the Child
2
 are not protected. Our children are constantly found on the 
streets. They are faced with extremely adverse situations in hostile environments. 
Children are denied their basic rights. The government together with local 
communities needs to take action. 
Whilst society on the one hand seem ill prepared to meet the needs of street 
children, government on the other hand it seems has not given enough attention to 
this phenomenon. 
It is against this background and within this framework that this research on 
the phenomena of street children in Durban has been co-ordinated and executed. 
These nine issues each constitute the complexities around which this first chapter is 
developed. 
 
1.3 Purpose of the Study 
This research presented is an in-depth study of the reality that street children 
confront. The range of problems that these children and their families face is 
explored. It consists of causal factors, responses offered by society and government, 
strategies and interventions and gaps in research. My overall objectives are: 
1. To compare the behaviour patterns and attitudes of street children of foreign 
countries to those in South Africa. 
2. To present a realistic picture of the state of the phenomena of street children by 
transcribing their stories as part of this dissertation. To examine and assess the 
factors responsible for street children’s preference to live on the streets. To 
identify and understand the individual needs of street children. To describe the 
challenges faced by the children and the impact that it has for their future. 
                                            
2
 See Annexure A 
  
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3. To examine the country’s racial legacy in terms of its impact on this phenomena. 
4. To explore the effects of poverty and it’s repercussions. 
5. To examine the impacts of Westernisation, which has contributed to the 
diminishing of the African culture. To research African culture and changes in 
the family structure. 
6. To relate issues concerning HIV/Aids with the phenomena of street children. 
7. To identify the rights of children and to create an awareness of human rights. 
8. To identify the role of society in terms of their contribution and involvement 
with street children. 
9. To identify the actions of government toward eradicating the phenomenon of 
street children. To make recommendations on eradicating the problems 
associated with street children. 
 
1.4 Research questions 
This thesis has attempted to find solutions toward the following concerns 
highlighted in this research: 
1. Who are these children and why do they choose to live on the streets? 
2. How different is the phenomenon of street children in foreign countries? 
3. What are the challenges faced by street children in Durban? 
4. Are street children victims of apartheid? 
5. Has poverty been a major factor in contributing toward children living on 
streets? 
6. Has Westernisation brought many permanent and irreversible changes in this 
country and how can the restoration of African culture change this situation? 
7. What are the rights of children? 
8. Is our community adequately prepared to meet the needs of street children? How 
are families, and individual members of society dealing with the problem of 
street children? What role can Non-Government Organizations (NG0s) and 
community-based organizations play in addressing the problem of street 
  
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children? Does the spirit of Ubuntu
3
 still exist? Is there a prevention of even 
more street children? 
9. What kinds of policies and strategies has government employed toward 
alleviating this problem and is there a rainbow of hope for the children of the 
streets?  
 
1.5 Methodology 
In order to try and understand all the diverse causes of children resorting to street 
living, I have chosen to employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to answer 
these questions. The interviews and completion of questionnaires of empirical 
research were conducted with street children at their places of “residence”. 
Unstructured and informal interviews were conducted. However, a few in-depth 
interviews were conducted with children living at certain shelters. Unfortunately this 
posed as a problem since many shelters were unwilling to allow children to divulge 
personal information. This is based on the fact that the rights of children are 
generally left unprotected by many organisations. Questionnaires covered various 
issues concerning the family status, family relations, and attitudes toward health, 
protection, and education. It also included attempts to gather data on the age groups, 
gender, characteristics, and background information on their preference to live on 
the streets. 
 The data gathered has been analysed and then transcribed in chapter three to 
determine the factors contributing to children’s preference to live on the streets. This 
research also involves the socio-economic as well as cultural analysis of their 
backgrounds. Empirical research was conducted on the progressive changes that 
have occurred within the Zulu culture. This study has been exploratory and therefore 
required some flexibility. The participatory research method was also engaged. 
Participants assisted with interviews and the completion of empirical questionnaires. 
This has enabled participants to develop new skills and knowledge. The following 
procedure was applied: 
                                            
3
 The principle of caring for each other’s well being as stated in the South African 
Government Gazette. 
  
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• Familiarisation with the street culture and the surroundings of the street children 
was conducted during research undertaken for my honours dissertation. 
• Empirical questionnaires were developed within the context of this thesis. 
• Field activity that involved direct communication with the children on the street. 
• Spending time with them allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the reasons for 
their preference of street life and with new activities that may be taking place 
since my last research undertaken. 
• Field activity that involved direct communication with families of street 
children, service providers and government departments. Unstructured 
interviews were conducted with the interested persons. 
 
1.6 Expected Outcomes 
The survey was carried out during June and July 2002 and 2003. The locations 
involved are Brickfield Road, Ridge Road and Stanley Copely Drive in Overport 
and the Durban Metropolitan area. Based on the data gathered, several 
recommendations will be proposed to interested persons in the community. The 
findings of this research will enable the community to help intervene in the 
phenomena of street children in the city. It will also help various organisations to 
network with government structures and make an impact on the plight of street 
children. This information will be made available to government, political 
figureheads and other countries. 
 
1.7 Background information 
Africa is the continent where the phenomenon of street children is acutely felt. This 
phenomenon has repercussions in all areas of life. In the Summary report number 13 
of 1995, Eugene K. Campbell and Tidimani Ntsabane (1995) state that,  
…Throughout the world, there are children who have drifted away 
from their homes or families of orientation. They are commonly 
referred to as "runaway" children. Since their usual place of domain 
is the street, they are also referred to as street children. 
 
There are diverse definitions on street children, but let me begin by stating the 
definition of street children as declared by the Human Rights Watch.