Year: 2015 | Month: December | Volume 5 | Issue 2
Situational Analysis of Street Children in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh: A Study
Abstract:
The present article discusses about the situation of street children in Guntur City of Andhra Pradesh. Street child is ‘any boy or girl for whom the street has become his or her habitual house or source of livelihood’. UNICEF estimated that there are 400,000 street children are living in different parts of India with vulnerable conditions. Guntur is one of the growing cities in Andhra Pradesh. The researcher has selected Guntur City for research setting and collected the data from 42 street children on their socio economic and living conditions by using the purposive sampling method. The study found that the mean ages of the respondents’ are 14 years. About 82 per cent street children stopped their studies. The major work they are doing for their livelihood is collect old papers, cooli, begging, helper, hawker, shoe polishers, seller of flowers, etc. A small percentage of street children are, as reported by key Informants, involved in theft, snatching, pick pocketing, sex work, drug business, Informer etc. The study suggests that the Street children must be provided tender care and emotional support and good nutritive diet so that they are not exposed to occupational and health hazards. Street based education system should be developed for the street children up to mainstream them with other government schools. Given the knowledge on hazards such as HIV/AIDS, early pregnancies, abortion, substance abuse, school dropout, child abuse and related rights etc. Media should publish the success stories of restoration of street children with their family members.
Print This Article Email This Article to Your Friend
