STREET CHILDREN

Street children are another high-risk pediatric population, estimated to account for ~ 5-10% of under-14 population in India. Over 70% of them are above 6 years and males. Ecologically, three major ecological factors for rising population of street children include: (a) poverty, (b) urbanization, and (c) family dys-adaptation.

Issues: Important issues related to street children are: (a) deprived health care and education facilities, (b) lack of sanitary living conditions, (c) safety considerations, e.g. child abuse and exploitation, and (d) high prevalence of drug abuse.

Preventive aspects: Important steps being taken up for improvement of living conditions for street children by various governmental organizations and NGOs are: (a) provision of night-shelters, (b) helplines, (c) security identity cards and (d) correctional and vocational guidance centers.

• Economic factors: Poverty, unemployment

• Social factors: Illiteracy, Urban migration

• Family factors: Large family size, child-parent conflicts

• Behavioral factors: Truancy, Identity crisis

• Bonded labor, specially in rural areas

28.4.4