Factors Leading to Children on the Street, Challenges and their Coping Mechanism in Piassa area, Arada Sub-City of Addis Ababa
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Date
2018-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to investigate factors leading to children on the Street, Challenges and their coping mechanism in Piassa area, Arada Sub-City of Addis Ababa. To obtain reliable and valid information both primary and secondary sources were used. The researcher was made systematic observation, individual in-depth interview, extended case studies and document analysis. The study found that the number of children on the Street of Piassa area, Arada Sub-City of Addis Ababa increased in from year to year, for example, in 2014, 2015 and 2016 children on the Street of the study area were 875, 1300 and 2600 respectively. The number of children on the Street increases mainly due to socio-cultural and economic factors. Socio-cultural factors related to deviant behavior (such as children rejected by their family because of delinquent behavior and crime, parents‟ drug addiction, disagreement between parents, violence at home and so on), family related factors (such as family size, family disintegration and reorganization of family system) and death of parents and also peers pressure and spatial freedom. Socio-economic factors related to family poverty and hope for better life. Other factors related to city life attraction and false information about city life which leads unsafe migration.
The living environments of children on the Street were very harsh and slummy. They were unable to meeting their basic necessities such as food, cloth and secure sleeping places, and also lacked access to services such as health; education, recreation and also highly affected by diseases, depression and other psychological effects. Moreover, children on the Street used different mechanisms so as to overcome the challenges that they faced from the community and their living environment. These include begging, washing car, removing wastage, carrying luggage, collecting piece of metals and rotten fruits, plundering properties, caring each other and breeding dogs and particularly, females engaging in other IGAs activities. The federal and local government should have the responsibility to make effective legislation and ensure strict implementation of the laws concerning child rights, education system and awareness rising. Yet, it is not only be the responsibility of government, but the community, media and other local and international organizations had the responsibilities. And also needs to active roles of the investors to spend part of their resources on those children.
Key Words: Street Children, Family Poverty, Pull/Push Factors
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Keywords
Street Children, Family Poverty, Pull/Push Factors