Children in Street Situations: Street Children and Homeless Youth

Summary

The authors introduce the extent and longevity of non-domiciled children and youth. While multiple definitions are presented, the authors divide the current status of non domiciled youth by homeless youth in the developed world and street children in the developing world. The origins of homeless youth are related to abuse. They are older than street children, more likely to come from middle class families, and equal in gender. A necessary condition of street children is poverty; several other factors are important including abuse, neglect, and historical and cultural context. Nor are all street children are on the street solely because of psychological reasons. Many are there because they are poor and being on the street is one way of coping with poverty by finding income generating sources. Many other street children are victims of war and natural disasters. Others are stateless. Comparisons and differences between street children and working children are introduced. For example, street children and homeless youth often rebel against authoritarian parents.