literature review on street children in india

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Mental Health Problems among Street Children: The Case of India

Tushar Savarkar 1 and Shankar Das 1

1 Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra India .

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRJSSH.2.1.05

A number of studies indicate that street children are vulnerable for exposure to poly-victimization, which includes various types of physical abuse, sexual violence, bullying and exposure to violence, neglect, drug abuse. These children may suffer severe mental health outcomes due to chronic exposure to psychosocial distress, specifically anxiety and depression. An analytical review of the literature was undertaken to examine the research studies on the psychological and social impact of the living condition on the street children from both a national and global lens. Research evidence indicates that there is a strong correlation between mental health and overall holistic development of the individual. The paper finally provides a conceptual framework of vulnerabilities and mental health of street children, implications for future research, interventions and public policy.

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Introduction Children are the most valuable resource of any society. But early childhood experiences have a profound developmental impact and are established to be a key driver for health and wellbeing in adult life. 1 Children remain at the lower echelons of the social order and are largely dependent on the adults and their microcosm has a great role to play in molding their personalities. Children are our greatest resource and across the world contribute to almost 33 percent of the world's population. Amongst these, 9 out of 10 children and adolescent population are staying in developing and least developed countries. 2 India is the second most populous country in the world and four out of ten people are from 0-18 years of age. 3 However, a large section of the child population is found to be vulnerable and is not able to access their basic rights of livelihood, health, and education. Children living with HIV (CLHA) or children of people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA), orphan children, child labor, trafficked child, and the child using an addictive substance, child prone to psycho-social problems and children living / working on street are the most vulnerable group among children. It also noted that the above categories of children are more likely to face mental health problems. Studies evidence that homeless, children living or working on street, orphan, abandoned children and children from other marginal section are more prone to mental health issues. 4 Street children are a majority when it comes to children facing difficult circumstances. Though the accurate figure of street children is hard to quantify, the estimates of the World Health Organization indicate there may be approximately 100 million street children around the world and these children are susceptible to undernourishment, infectious diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) including HIV/AIDS, and criminal and sexual exploitation. 5 India with a population of 1.21 billion and around four out ten people are from the age group 1-18 years of age group. 6 Overall, India has over eleven million children who earn their living off the streets in cities and rural areas, 7 out of which an estimated one million live in metropolitan cities like New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. 8 Though street children are one of the most vulnerable section of society due to their complex nature and socio-economic, cultural, and political condition, defining this population is difficult 9 . The UNICEF has categorized children into three major groups, children on the street- having regular contact with their family, children of the street- have very limited contact with their family while abandoned children- not having contact with their family 10 ; while the USAID has categorized street children into the four major groups, children staying with street families, children staying in an institutional care, child labour those who work and return to their homes after a specific interval and children who work and or stay on street alone and have no or little contact with their families. 11 Further, Inter-NGO (cited in UNICEF document) had defined this phenomena as “any girl or boy who has not reached adulthood, for whom the street (in the broadest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) has become her or his habitual abode and/or sources of livelihood, and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults”. 12 But there are certain problems with the above definition and categorization. The definition has ignored the shifting of one group of children into another group i.e. children of street may become children on street or vice-ver. Also, the definition is to fail to address the process of becoming a street child. The rapid and unplanned urbanization, migration to the urban areas, the disintegration of the family and community structure leads to the socio-economic imbalance, such imbalances engenders the phenomena of street children. Street children are virtually uncared-for, staying and working on streets without adult supervision, without love, affection, and care. They are virtually bereft of basic rights like education and health. 13 A study conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and Action Aid in 2013, pointed out that sadly one-fourth of the street children lacked access to even food because of their inability to purchase. 14 The findings of another study showed that the street children were suffering from various illnesses, fever was the most common among them other being skin infections. 13 Universally, street children are encounter problems like abuse, torture, violence, exploitation, substance use/abuse and violation of basic rights. 15,16 Furthermore, earlier research added that homeless children are more vulnerable to accidents, injuries, and burns. 17 Studies have also shown homeless children who either live or work on streets, orphaned, abandoned, and children from other marginal sections are more prone to mental health issues. 4 A largely unexplored arena of mental health, in general, becomes even more obscure in the case of street children who struggle in almost all areas of health and development. However, this vital component of health needs a deeper understanding of promoting better health standard and framing a policy for children living on the streets. The article presents an analytical and interpretive review of the mental health of vulnerable children living on the streets. The authors' aim was not simply to produce a scientific text and summary of the evidence on previously published literature; it construes ways that are insightful and useful. The review aimed to investigate and comprehend various psychosocial issues and mental health issues of street children, its determinants and how it affects their overall development. A literature review was undertaken between 1977 and 2018, using the databases like PubMed, Google Scholars, Science direct, Sage, Springer with the help of keywords such as psychosocial distress, street children, and mental health. The inclusion criteria were set at only available full-text of published articles and after identification of relevant articles, those were archived using Endnote7. Initially the titles, abstracts were screened and duplicates were removed electronically with a manual revision, and finally, full-text articles were reviewed. Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Children and Adolescents

Mental health is a growing area of concern, especially amongst vulnerable groups. While it is acknowledged that the mental health problems affect all section of societies and all age groups worldwide 5 ; the prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders among children range from 2.6 percent to 35.6 percent. 18-21 Some studies, however, report that 2 out of 10 young people experience problems related to mental health in any given year. It has also been argued that the age of onset for several chronic mental disorders is age 14. 3 Another study reported 20 percent of young people to experience some form of mental-health conditions due to various reasons. 22 An Indian study reported that the prevalence rate of mental and behavioral disorders in India ranged from 9.5 percent to 37 percent in the general population. 23 A study conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW), Government of India (GOI) in 2013 found that while the overall prevalence rate of common mental health disorders is 7 percent, it is 2 percent for severe mental health disorders. Further, it added that around 12 percent of the young population in India is suffering from psychological distress. 24 Research indicated that the prevalence of depression among young people has risen in recent years. There is a gap in the research on severe depression among the adolescent population in India. The study conducted by Gupta & Basak in 2013, highlighted the prevalence of depression among adolescents in West Bengal. The study found that around 45 percent of adolescents in the state faced depression, out of these five percent adolescents faced severe type of depression, six percent faced moderate type of depression while 34 percent adolescent faced a mild level of depression. 25 It has also observed that three out of ten females and 36 percent of males suffer from depression in late childhood. 26 Another study highlighted that mental illness such as depression, extreme aggression, violent tendencies/behavior, emotional trauma, suicide and substance/drug dependence as common among street children. 27 The study conducted on homeless children indicated that the lifestyle and hardship of homeless children make them more prone to many mental health issues 28 ; about one third of street children showed some signs of pathology in one or more dimensions and one third manifested moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or acting out. 29 Likewise, the street children were found suffering from emotional and neurological issues 30 ; high level of hopelessness, depression, behavioral problems, and suicidal thoughts 31 ; psychosocial distress including depression and anxiety. 16 The role of circumstances cannot be denied in developing a healthy personality. The struggle for existence on the streets is complicated by a variety of factors to which these children get exposed to regularly. This leads to psychological distress which remains unidentified and unaddressed causing damage to the mental health of these children. Determinants of Mental Distress The assessment of mental health disorders requires a multi-dimensional framework in that several risk factors attenuate or increase the likelihood of developing socio-emotional challenges. 32 Factors like poverty, rejection, isolation, violence, lack of moral support are alarming for the mental health condition of the individual. 33 In addition to these, limited educational opportunity, stigma, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and inadequate health care are the main reasons of mental health problems among young people but children are more likely to be afflicted than adults. 34 Children are largely dependent on the adults for their holistic wellbeing as they need love and support throughout their developmental cycle. Life on the streets jeopardizes their access to basic needs, hence makes them more vulnerable. The findings of an earlier study indicated the hardship of homelessness leads to long-term mental illness among the children. 28 The inevitable exposure to poverty, physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse, inadequate or no health care, substance use, and violence has tremendous potential to push them to experience distress, anxiety leading to behavioral problems. 35,36 The previous research which addressed the psychosocial distress among the children living on the street found that age, time spent on the street, type of work are the main determinants of the psychosocial distress among these children. 16 The importance of family in the lives of children is well established in all cultures. Familial relationships are nurturing and enriching and help in the overall development of the child. But the street children largely consist of the group of runaway children, children left by parents or relatives, and the children those who are staying with homeless parents. In all these situations they have no or very little family contacts and has poor social relationships. Many a time the cause for their expulsion/withdrawal from family is rooted in deeper social problems like extreme poverty, violence, abuse which may result in mental health depreciation. The lifestyle and working conditions bring street children closer to many forms of substances and for quick relief of stress and experience of elation they sniff whitener and glue that helped them work longer. 14 The researchers indicated that there is a strong relationship between substance abuse and the distress among the street children. Substance abuse further gives rise to the risk of other health problems, which includes risky sexual behavior, HIV, STD, physical illness and distress. 37 Some studies reported children to face domestic violence and physical punishment in many societies; physical punishment is a very common tool and reckoned as an effective means to discipline the children. But studies have shown that it has the negative impact on the development of children and those who were subjected to physical punishment have more probability to be involved in violent behavior, aggression, poor quality of social relationships and increased delinquent behavior 38 and sexual abuse. 27 Further, it was reported, those children who suffered the sexual exploitation or trafficking had faced severe mental health problems like trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological distress. 38 There is a close relationship between sexual harassment and mental health problems. The findings reveal that street children those who exposed to harassment and sexual violence are more likely to face hopelessness. 39 The place of residence is an important determinant of mental health. The prevalence of mental health issues in urban areas was double than in rural areas. Along with all these micro factors, the socio-economic and political environment of the country also played an important role in the overall development of the children. Thus, this necessitates a greater need to research mental health and psychosocial distress in local social-cultural perspectives rather than from a universal perspective. 40 The economic level of the country determines the health and mental health scenario of the country. Studies indicated regional and socio-cultural variations that affect the mental health of the children. Health and mental health of children and adolescents are affected by the nutrition and quality of food that they consume that finally determine their immunity, growth, and health. Weinreb highlighted the correlation between food or nutrition with the health and mental health of individuals. It was also found that hunger affects the mental health of the individual negatively. 41 Street children are surviving without proper shelter and besides they don't have the regular provision of food. Some of them procure food at public or religious places distributed by the benevolent people and others manage with meager money earned through miscellaneous job or work in exchange for food. The findings of TISS and Action Aid revealed that one-fourth of the children on the street situations was not able to access their daily and sufficient food because of their inability to purchase due to hardship and lack of livelihood means on the street. Though a large section of them managed food through different means whatever food they could manage to access the quality was neither good nor healthy. 14 A few studies also reported evidence of prevalent physical illnesses such as fever, upset stomach, skin infections. 42 Physical well being is an important determinant of mental health. Physical illness leads to distress and other mental health problems. 43 Figure 1 attempt to summarize the vulnerabilities in the environment for children who land up on streets and subsequently may fall prey in developing some sort of mental health problems and disorders. The vulnerability leads to mental health problems and in a similar way mental health problems push people towards a vulnerable situation. Similarly, people suffering from poverty are more likely to face malnutrition, poor health, distress, exclusion, neglect and so on. All such factors contribute to mental health problems. In the same manner, street children are living in poverty, facing social exclusion and human rights violation. All these eventuate in the poor health and mental health of street children. Street children go through the hardships of street life and suppression of the aspirations resulting in identity crises, distress, and being outcast from the mainstream of society. 44 Mental illness is not an independent phenomenon. It is a result of multiple factors like biological, psychological and social factors. In the case of socioeconomic issues like urbanization, poverty, technological changes- all these factors impact the mental health of an individual. Though the above factors are correlated with the mental health, mental and behavioral disorder but the impact are not similar for every individual of the community. 45 Adversely, the children who were found with symptoms of depression have a history of suicidal thoughts, suicidal planning and attempt to suicide and so on. 31

The lifestyle of street children makes them prone to many kinds of abuse, neglect, stigmatization, ill-treatment, torture, and harassment by the people and police. All these factors lead to exacerbation of the mental health problems among the street children. On the other hand, poor mental health condition and mental illness further make them more vulnerable; the cyclic relationship between vulnerability and poor mental health are given in their life.  

Mental Health Problems Research evidence indicates that there is a strong correlation between mental health and overall holistic development of the individual. Good quality of life is often considered as the foundation of sound mental health and the adolescents those who are bestowed with opportunities may grow up to be happy adults 46 and during the later parts of life, it affects their social and economic lives. 4 Mental health conditions are the leading causes of health problems among children and youth across the world. 47 Depression in children and adolescent harms their overall development. Depression among young people is rapidly proliferating across the world and this is a major reason for suicide among young people. 3,31,35 A study reported that there was a strong relationship between mental health problems and the prediction of the psychiatric condition in street children. It further illustrated that mental health problems and levels of stress co-exists. 48 Mental health problems affect the social as well economic life of the street children and further, it leads to the poverty, fewer employment opportunities, poor work efficiency. 49 Given the fact mental illness leads to the vulnerability of individual and also since street children are those who left the home due to the maladjustment in the family, this eventuates in psychological distress among them. Once they reach the street they suffer stigma, discrimination, and abuse which worsen their condition. Hence, they are more likely to suffer mental distress and behavioral problems. In connection with the above study, street children suffer from problems like abuse, neglect violence and other forms of vulnerabilities; these lead to the mental health problems among street children. Again these mental illnesses make them more vulnerable and push them on the margin of social exclusion and violation of many rights. As the street children go through the numerous hardship of street life that undoubtedly leads to many psycho-social distresses and mental health problems among them. However, positive qualities of resilience, protective resources among street children are reported by a researcher which often goes unnoticed. Their findings changed the popular perception of street youth as vulnerable; on the other hand, depicted a picture of young youths with potential for negotiation, resilient trajectory, personal resources (that are typically unconventional), bonds to their peer groups, and religiosity, to cope resiliently with the multiple challenges of street life. 50 Conclusion It is important to recognize the variability of experiences among children living on the street, not all street children experience a comparatively higher level of negative life circumstances than their previous living situations. The present paper highlights the various problems of street children, the prevalence of the mental health issues, its determinants and impact of mental health issues on their overall development. Most studies highlighted the street children population is marginalized and vulnerable where they live and work without proper adult supervision. All these factors affect the quality of life, healthy socialization, overall development and mental health of the street children. Given the limited amount of research in this area, inconsistent outcome measures and imperfect study designs maintain that this is an area in need of greater attention and research focus. Aknowledgements Nil. Conflict of Interest Nil. References

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Preventing ‐substance abuse among street children in India: A literature review

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The present study revealed that 10 % of the world’s children live on the streets in India and more than two third were boys. It was found that most of the street children abuse nicotine and alcohol. The major reason for the children to be on the streets was poverty and peer pressure, for substances abuse. Substance abuses damage the vital organs and respiratory, digestive, oral, facial and heart diseases were the common health effects. HIV/AIDS, STI, violence and crime were the major social effects of substance abuse. Thus, India ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and implemented Integrated Programme on Street Children in major cities of India. The programme works on health, education, shelter, nutrition and right of street children. Beside these, Modified Social Stress Model was implemented on prevention of substance abuse. Conclusions: Programmes on empowerment, employment, equality with culturally sound interventions are required to prevent street children and substance abuse in all parts of India.

VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL

REVIEW ARTICLE Street Children in major cities of India . The programme works on health, education, shelter, Preventing ‐substance abuse nutrition and right of street children. Beside these, Modified Social Stress Model was among street children in India: implemented on prevention of substance abuse. a literature review Conclusions: Programmes on empowerment, employment, equality with culturally sound Narayan Sharma1, Suresh Joshi2 interventions are required to prevent street children and substance abuse in all parts of India. 1. MSc Public Health, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, London Metropolitan University, Keywords: : Substance abuse, street children, London, UK prevention, India 2. MSc, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Section of Population Health, School of Corresponding author: N. Sharma, Faculty of Applied Social Science, London Metropolitan University Medicine and Dentistry, University of Email: [email protected] , [email protected] Aberdeen, Scotland, UK Introduction

Abstract stimating numbers of ‘street children’ is fraught with difficulties. The exact number Background: The prevalence of street children has Eof street children is impossible to quantify, been escalating in most of the developing world but the figure almost certainly runs into tens of and highest in India. The aim of the present study millions across the world which shows that the was to investigate strategies for the prevention of numbers are in increasing trend’.1,2 The number substance abuse among street children in India. of street children has grown in recent decades Methods and Material: The literature review was because of widespread recession, political based on 15 full text academic journal articles. turmoil, civil unrest, increasing family The articles were screened, analysed and disintegration, natural disasters and growing reviewed to draw findings and discussion for the urbanisation.3 study. Beside these, publications from government and private organisations were also The problems of street children are more included as grey literature. significant in the developing than developed Results: The present study revealed that 10 % of world and it was estimated that more than 100 the world’s children live on the streets in India million children live and work on the streets in the 4,5 and more than two third were boys. It was found developing countries. Moreover, India alone is that most of the street children abuse nicotine home to the world’s largest population of street 4 and alcohol. The major reason for the children to children, estimated to be 18 million. be on the streets was poverty and peer pressure, Some estimates put the number of street for substances abuse. Substance abuses damage children living in India’s six most populous cities at the vital organs and respiratory, digestive, oral, 500,000; more than 100,000 may be found in facial and heart diseases were the common health Delhi alone.1,2,6 War, poverty, urbanization, rapid effects. HIV/AIDS, STI, violence and crime were economic growth, the breakdown of families, and the major social effects of substance abuse. Thus, domestic violence are the most immediate causes India ratified the Convention on the Rights of the of this phenomenon’s growing proportions.7 Child and implemented Integrated Programme on Street children in India indulge in substance use at

Preventing ‐substance abuse among street children in India: a literature review.Health Science Journal.2013;7 (2) Page | 137 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 any time in their life and the minimum age at the street to the possible health outcomes that starting substance use in the study was 5 years.6 they faced during street. Besides this, it shows the Street children are abusing wide range of link of two different intervention strategies to substances, from inhalant to solid cigarettes and combat cause and consequences of substance some of the children are employed in preparation abuse and street children as mentioned in figure of "charas" cigarettes in India.7,8 This situation 1. brought the street children in various health and Methodology social effects. As a result, over half of the 18 year‐ old street girls reported Sexually Transmitted The literature review process was done through Infection (STI) and, and 20% of them admitted due databases searching and grey literature citation 9 to early pregnancy. index (Figure 2). After searching, the publications were processed for screening, analysis and review To combat the causes and consequences of with necessary exclusions before the paper used substance abuse among street children through 10 preventive programmes it is important to for generating findings and synthesis discussion. understand how children end up on the streets in Searching Strategies the first place. The aim of literature review was to identify the factors that put children on the Databases searching streets, understand the context of substance Databases used to collect academic literature abuse among street children and released health were Academic Search Premier, Google scholar, problems in order to develop a framework that Medline/Pubmed. This method involves databases can help in preventing substance abuse by street search from 1990 according to problem based children. A conceptual framework was designed keywords. It involves listing of abstracts for the following the study to show the broader concept initial set of several articles, articles reviewing to of causes, effects, and preventive strategies for provide a broad mapping of the problem and the prevention of substance abuse among street finally mini and micro level analysis of selected children in India. articles focusing the objectives and problems of Conceptual framework study.11 Keyword search used in the study were “Substance abuse”, “Street children”, and for A conceptual framework on preventive strategies narrow search “Substance abuse AND Street for substance abuse among street children was children” was done. The search was done as per developed following the study on substance abuse the chapters, for demography and epidemiology, among street children in India. The framework “Demography of Street Children” and was built from three key components: causes, “Epidemiology of Substance Abuse”. Additionally, health outcomes and interventions. Individual, for causes and effects of substance abuse and family level and structural causes are responsible children being on the street, “Causes of Substance for the children to be on the street. Street Abuse”, “Causes of Street Children”, and “Effects children start abusing substances, like alcohol, of Substance Abuse” were used. Finally, for tobacco and drugs. As a result health and social implemented programmes, “Preventive effects are seen among them. To combat causes Programmes for Street Children” and and consequences of substance abuse among “Programmes Preventing Substance Abuse” were street children, interventions from government used. and non‐government level are shown in the conceptual framework. Figure 1 links the causes Grey literature Citation Index of street children to leave their homes and live on

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Grey literature include the references identified reference based on those identified in the through the previous search strategy which were assessment of document attributes, outcomes examined in order to compile a citation index of and objectives. the books, book sections and reports referred to. References that were cited more than four times Finally, search and analysis within the PDF file were sought for inclusion in this review. This was was done to identify the content of each chapters done to ensure that important grey literature was and objectives. There were 15 academic articles included in the review. Here, the published data which were used in this study, about substance and information from NGOs, INGOs, WHO, abuse and street children in India. UNICEF, Save the Children, Eldis, Consortium for Assumptions underpinning this review Street Children and Departments of Indian government were used. This review process may not include some source of information, like published reports due to Screening process practical difficulties inherent in identifying and Inclusion criteria were developed to screen the obtaining these reports. Other unpublished literature identified for inclusion in the analysis. sources tend to be more highly valued within a Recent, relevancy and English language were the field but inaccessible in this review. major inclusion criteria. To ensure that the Literature review process and selection of literature covers a long enough timeframe to be articles comprehensive but not so long as to be outdated published documents form 1990 were taken. For Review and selection of the article was done as relevancy, documents related to the causes of shown on figure 2 and necessary study exclusion children being on the street, substance abuse and was done as below. preventive strategies were focused. Finally English Study Exclusions language was taken to ensure that the article can be assessed by the review team. Exclusion 1 (n1): After searching articles, during screening process the articles get excluded which Analysis were irrelevant in the topic and abstract. Topic Analysis of the data was done utilising a grounded related to medicine and drug therapies of theory approach and thematic coding. substance abuse were excluded. After this, papers were analysis by re‐evaluation. The major strategy of grounded theory employed in this research was constant Exclusion 2 (n2): Here, during review the comparative method. Constant comparative papers which were duplicated and not relevant to analysis is the process of coding data to develop objectives were excluded. After this, papers were concepts which are then refined by reviewing and retrieved for data extraction. comparing other data. On the basis of these Exclusion 3 (n3): Here, the study exclusion was comparisons concepts may be confirmed, done on the basis of those papers which were not discarded, refined or elaborated, and their from India. After this, papers were included for relationships to one another are explored.10 synthesis of result and discussion. The text in each reference review document (see table 1) was thematically coded to facilitate Results the retrieval of text in relation to specific It has been found that a total of fifteen studies outcomes. Attributes were also assigned to each

Preventing ‐substance abuse among street children in India: a literature review.Health Science Journal.2013;7 (2) Page | 139 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 meet all the criteria and their selection was done NGOs, the number does not diminish or their as mentioned in figure 2. Review of the studies plight grow better.7,16 It was found that 11 million was done and the findings were synthesised in the street children were in India where 82.7% of study. street children were boys whereas girls were more difficult to trace and were most General overview of studies vulnerable.14,17 There was uneven distribution of Out of 15 academic articles that were used in this street children where West Zone has more than 16,18 study, each of the articles was responsible to half of the street children of India. Various demonstrate more than one outcomes of the abuses were experienced by street children, finding. It was found that six articles studied the where 82.98% of street children were substance 19 causes of children being on the street, five articles abusers. The most common substance studied the causes of substance abuse and risk consumed was nicotine, as cigarettes or "bidis’ factors, five articles studied effects and and "gutkha" and inhalant / volatile substance use consequences, and six for policies and preventive in the form of sniffing of adhesive glue, petrol, programmes for preventing street children and gasoline, thinner and spirit was reported by one 8,18,20 substance abuse. Beside these, several fourth of children. Beside these, drugs were publications from government and non‐ used by street children. Heroin, Opium, Alcohol, government organisations were used to support Cannabis and Propoxyphene are the five most 7 the findings of academic articles. The included common drugs being abused by children in India. studies were conducted mainly in the cities of Furthermore, the study explored that the India like Mumbai , Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Tamil‐ substance abuse by street children is influenced nadu, Sambalpur, Banglore and Orissa. However, with tendency of substance abuse by their family the study design and study type varied according members. Similarly, Benegal et al shows that to the methodological quality (table 1). family members of street children use tobacco and alcohol and street children are more prone to Causes of children being on the street in India use drugs and other substances.21

Children who are vulnerable to street life include Causes and risk factors of substance abuse those who have been abandoned by their families among street children in India or sent into cities due to family's intense poverty, often with hopes that a child will be able to earn Almost three‐quarter (70 %) of all substance users money for the family.12 It was found that most of wanted to quit and about 40% had tried to quit the street children were from joint families and but cannot, due to the associated causes of 19 higher percentage of street children had illiterate substance abuse. This study showed the most parents.13 Beside these, low income of the common reasons for substance abuse by street parents, presence of step parents, guardian other children were peer pressure (62.1%), than parents and intra‐familial physical abuse experimentation (36.3%) or to boost self‐ were associated with the runaway group of street confidence (28.7%). Various Indian Foundations children in India.14,15 state that children abuse substances for a number of reasons, from curiosity, recreation to cope with Demography and epidemiology of street children stress as personal factors however drug abuse and and substance abuse in India addiction lead to a complex set of social, medical and economic problems.20 Regarding risk factors, There is high burden of street children in India, substance abuse was significantly associated with which accounts 10% of world street children and domestic violence, maltreatment of the child, despite efforts by the government and many nuclear families, runaway status and working

E‐ISSN:1791‐809x │hsj.gr Published by Department of Nursing A , Technological Educational Institute of Athens Page | 140 VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL status of the child.7 process.7,26The National Plan of Action has been worked out keeping in mind the needs, rights and Health and Social effects of substance abuse aspirations of 300 million children in the country among street children and sets out quantifiable time dimensions to 24 Childline India Foundation states that even a India's Charter of Action for Children. The Plan single session of repeated inhalant abuse can gives special consideration to children in difficult disrupt heart rhythms and cause death from circumstances and aims at providing a framework, cardiac arrest or lower oxygen levels, enough to through the goals and objectives for actualisation 25 cause suffocation.6,19 In Manipur, north‐east India, of the Convention in the Indian context. The which shares border with Myanmar, and Madras, Government of India had adopted a two‐pronged are the examples where rapid increases of heroin strategy to tackle the problem of drug and injection take place mainly in street children and substance abuse which includes supply control 19, 20, 26 they have high rated of HIV/AIDS and STDs and demand reduction. Similarly, Manihara transmission rate.22 The effects of substance states that the laws under the Juvenile Justice Act abuse were lung problems (28%) like burning of 1986, India relate quite strongly to the care and lungs and tuberculosis (6%), vomiting (12%), rights of street children and strategy for cancer (11%), death (10%), teeth and facial preventing substance abuse in general, however 16 problem (7%), heart or kidney problems (5%).7 lacks in implemention. Besides these, a peer influence contribute Programmes for preventing children on the street significantly on higher level of adolescents using in India drugs i.e., (48.3%) had an addicted peer.7,23 Furthermore, the majority of substance abusers The Integrated Programme for Street Children is a either never went to school (54.4%) or were national programme operating in 56 cities in school drop‐outs (51.7%) and the most common India.27 The programme targets homeless children place for initiation of substance abuse was living alone, or with their families, on the street. It recreational avenues for males (49.7%) and home provides education, health care, nutrition and for females (36.6%). These adverse social effects, legal help and seeks to reunite runaway children resulting homeless children are involved in with their families.28 These components could robberies, prostitution, trafficking drugs and even strengthen family and children not to leave their murders in urban areas of the country.24 home and prevent children living on the street. For example, in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Policies and strategies on substance abuse West Bengal, Integrated Programme for Street among street children in India Children provide support on bridging courses and The Government of India ratified the Convention alternative education for working children, girls, 26,29 on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1992.25 children from certain castes and tribal groups. The Government took various initiatives to review An Integrated Programme on Street children in the National and State legislations and brought it India constitute city wise surveys, where in line with the provisions of the Convention. competent institutions carry out an enumeration Furthermore, the Government developed of street children in all state capitals as well as in appropriate monitoring procedures to assess other cities having population of 1 million or 27,30 progress in implementing the Convention, which more. However, the cities with less than 1 involve all relevant Ministries and Departments, million populations are not included in the international agencies, NGOs, and the legal programme where there might be high number of 25 profession in the implementation and reporting street children. The programme documents

Preventing ‐substance abuse among street children in India: a literature review.Health Science Journal.2013;7 (2) Page | 141 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 existing facilities in the city for street children, secure environment for children in need of care formulation of plans, co‐ordination with the and protection for children in conflict, vulnerable different stakeholders, advocacy and awareness and street children and preventing substance generation on the right of children, training NGOs, abuse among children.32 India has adopted the facilitating street children for community Modified Social Stress Model for preventing participation and advice government on substance abuse among street children in formulation of policies and programmes of street different cities and use WHO categories of children.29 Besides the national programme many response.35, 36 A cross‐sectional, community‐based NGOs working for the prevention of the children study conducted among children residing in the being in the street and provide their needs. For slums of Sambalpur, and Orissa of India Example, street and working children in Dindigul conceptualised by the Modified social Stress and Palani of India were offered immediate care Model that an increased risk for drug use stems and support at 24‐hour drop‐in centres located in from distress, the normalization of drug use, the each town.31 Evaluation of an Integrated effect of drugs and a decreased risk of drug abuse Programme on Street Children was done by due to social attachments, coping strategies, performance appraisal mechanism.32 In Delhi resources for their development.22,37 The study Mukherjee used “rights based approaches”, done in Banglore, India supports the model that “empowerment and capabilities approaches” and increased risk for drug use is a function of the “sustainable livelihoods approaches”, to evolve level of perceived personal stress. However, the multiple yardsticks for participatory monitoring risk decreased by positive attachments that the framework for street children from their child may have, the possession of adequate perspectives and also for benchmarking coping strategies and skills, and access to achievements of programmes and projects related necessary resources.20 to them.33 Discussion Programmes for preventing substance abuse among street children in India It has been found that India has the highest number of street children in the world, however A national master plan for substance abuse was the number differs on different reports and most evolved in 1994 which focuses on the of them show more than 11 million street children establishment of treatment and rehabilitation living and working in Indian street.16 Most of the centres, training in substance abuse for primary street children were boys from the scheduled care doctors and other personnel, collaborating caste or tribes, which shows the poverty is the with non‐governmental organisations and carrying major cause among those groups. There was out education and awareness building uneven distribution of street children where West programmes.19 There are currently in India about Zone has more than half of the street children of 359 counselling centres for drug abuse prevention India.18 It was due to the major cities located in that also propagate awareness and the this Zone and numbers of children were high in government finances more than 50 NGOs, which these cities. However, demographic investigations are engaged in drug and substance abuse on number of street children is limited and not prevention activities.34 A tripartite agreement conducted beyond the major cities. between the Government, ILO and UNDCP has been signed to help full rehabilitation and It was found that the Indian street children recovery of substance abuse and drugs.18 face both the individual or family and community Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) was or social causes to be on street and abusing the launched in India aiming at creating safe and substances as mentioned in conceptual

E‐ISSN:1791‐809x │hsj.gr Published by Department of Nursing A , Technological Educational Institute of Athens Page | 142 VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL framework. Thus, Kanth identified family intense organisation used different approaches providing poverty was responsible for children being on the basic needs, child rights and improving their street and family expectation for earning money.12 career. On the other hand, preventing substance However, Tiwari et al.,13 focus on illiteracy and abuse and their effects among street children joint family are the main cause of children being implemented as preventive approach including on the street in India along with the poverty, health based intervention as mentioned in physical abuse being subsidiary causes. This conceptual framework. supports the hypothesis of Aptekar,38 that urban poverty is the major reason of children being on A national plan for substance abuse was the street followed by aberrant families. On the significant for treatment, rehabilitation, and other hand, the most common causes of awareness building for street children to prevent 19 substance abuse among street children in India substance abuse. However, counselling centres were peer pressure followed by experimentation and awareness programmes were inadequate to and boosting self confidence.18 However, it differs change the behaviour of the people. Additionally, from the main cause of children being on street Government of India launched Integrated Child which was poverty. Curiosity, recreation and Protection Scheme (ICPS) for safe and secure coping with the stress were other factors environment for children and preventing 33 influencing for the use of substance by street substance abuse among them. Modified Social children in India.19 Furthermore, Childline India Stress Model for preventing substance abuse Foundation states that the vital organs are mostly among street children used WHO categories of affected and inhalers got disruption of heart response in India. Sambalpur, Banglore and Orissa rhythm and cardiac arrest by substance abuse. State used this Model by controlling over the Beside these, high rates of HIV and STDs factors which increased the risk of substance transmission was among street children in north‐ abuse and promoting the factors which decreased east of India. Thus, the studies included on the the risk due to social attachments, coping 22 40 review also suggest those effects on street strategies and resources. Similarly, Frost children. suggested that providing information and awareness using HBM could be appropriate for The policies, strategies and programmes for preventing substance abuse among street preventing substance abuse among street children. Thus, the multiple approaches were children in India are using WHO guidelines and implemented in India for the prevention of initiatives. PSA of WHO was a benchmark for India substance abuse among street children in India. in implementing programmes and the problems of However, programmes related to different high number of street kids were addressed culture, tradition, geographical location, through at Integrated Programme on Street empowerment and employment are further Children in India.26 However, there are some gaps essential to prevent root causes and of the Integrated Programme on Street Children consequences of substance abuse and street that it could not cover all the street children of children in all part of the country. the country and limited to the major cities.25 Beside the national programmes, other Conclusions community oriented programmes for preventing There are relatively few studies conducted in children being on street were implemented in relation to substance abuse among street children Dindigul, Palani, Mumbai, Delhi and many other India although, they comprise a significant parts of the country addressing the specific proportion of the total population. Most of the 30, 32, 39 issues. This shows that different study focuses on the causes, effects and risk

Preventing ‐substance abuse among street children in India: a literature review.Health Science Journal.2013;7 (2) Page | 143 HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL VOLUME 7 (2013),ISSUE 2 factors of substance abuse among street children Australasian Collaboration for Health Equity Impact in India and very few academic papers on Assessment (ACHEIA); Sydney; 2004. 11. Gilson L, Raphaely N. Health policy and planning, prevention. However, the additional preventive London: Oxford University Press; 2008. programme and policies were discussed from 12. Kanth AK. Street Children and Homelessness . CYC‐ government and organisational publications. Online; 2004; Available from: http:// www.cyc‐ net.org/cyc‐online/cycol‐0904‐Homelessness.html. It was found that there were variation in (Accessed 24 May 2010). findings of the study and the study were carried 13. Tiwari PA, Gulati N, Sethi GR, Mehra M. Why do some boys run away from home? Indian Journal of Paediatrics; mostly in the urban areas of the country. The 2002; 69(8):732. programmes need special focus on reducing 14. Kacker L, Varadan S, Kumar P. Study on Child Abuse poverty in the country and peer pressure for India 2007. Delhi: Ministry of Women and Child preventing substance abuse among street Development, Government of India; 2007. children. Furthermore, for the sustainability of the 15. Uddin J, Koehlmoos TL, Ashraf A, Khan AI, Saha NC, Hossain M. Health Needs and Health Care Seeking programme they need sustainable resources and Behaviour of Street Dwellers in Dhaka and Mumbai. their effective planning. Health Policy and Planning, 2009:24(5)1–10. 16. Consortium for Street Children. Street children Statistics. References Consortium for Street Children, 2009; Available from; http://www.streetchildren.org.uk/_uploads/resources/S 1. UNICEF Rapid Assessment of street children in Lusaka. treetChildren_Stats_FINAL.pdf . (Accessed 20 March UNICEF, 2002; Available from: http://www.unicef.org/ 2010). evaldatabase/files/ZAM_01‐009.pdf. (Accessed 21 Nov 17. Manihara NS. Street Children? SKCV; 2006; Available 2009). from: 2. Visano L. The socialization of street children: The http://www.skcv.com/street%20children%20in%20india development and transformation of identities. .htm. (Accessed 1 July 2010). Sociological Studies of Child Development, 1990; 3:139‐ 18. D’Souza B, Castelino L, Madangopal DA. Demographic 161. Profile of Street Children in Mumbai. Mumbai: Shelter 3. Tuladhar S. Alcohol and Drug Use among Street Children Don Bosco Research Documentation Centre; 2002. in Nepal. Kathmandu: Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN); 19. Gaidhane AM, Zahiruddin QS, Waghmare L, Shanbhag S, 2002. Zodpey S, Joharapurkar SR. Substance Abuse Among 4. Gurumurthy, R. HIV/AIDS risk taking behaviour among Street Children in Mumbai. London: Routledge; 2008. street children in Mumbai, Mumbai: International 20. Childline India Foundation (2010) Drug abuse among Conference on AIDS; 2000. children. [Online] Available from: 5. Joshi NC. Integrated Child Protection Scheme‐ taking http://www.childlineindia.org.in/index.htm. [Accessed care of overall care of overall development of children. 21 May 2010]. The India Post; 2009; Available from: 21. Benegal V, Bhushan K, Seshadri S, Karott M. Drug Abuse http://www.theindiapost.com/articles/ integrated‐child‐ Among Street Children in Bangalore. Bangalore: protection‐scheme‐–‐taking‐care‐of‐overall‐ National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, development‐of‐children/. (Accessed 25 June 2010). Bangalore Forum for Street and Working Children; 1998. 6. Harold E. Concepts of Chemical Dependency, California: 22. UNDCP The Social Impact of Drug Abuse. Available Brooks/Cole‐Thomson Learning; 2002. from: http://www.unodc.org/ 7. Pagare D, Meena GS, Singh MM, Saha, R. Risk Factors of pdf/technical_series_1995‐03‐01_1.pdf. (Accessed 24 Substance Use Among Street Children from Delhi, New May 2010). Delhi: Maulana Azad Medical College; 2003. 23. Sarangi L, Acharya HP, Panigrahi OP. Substance Abuse 8. Rao J. The History of Child Right in India. UNICEF, India; Among Adolescents in Urban Slums of Sambalpur. Indian 2007; Available from: Journal of Community Medicine 2008; 33(4): 265‐267. http://www.unicef.org/india/children_3220.htm. 24. Patro BB. (1997) India‐AIDS: Street Children are Most (Accessed 5 July 2010). Vulnerable. [Online] Available from: 9. UN‐ODCCP. Rapid situation assessment of street http://www.aegis.com/news/ips/1997/ip970902.html. children in Cairo and Alexandria. Cairo: UN‐ODCCP; (Accessed 29 May 2010). 2001. 25. Consortium for Street Children Street children Statistics. 10. Harris‐Roxas B, Simpson S, Harris E. Equity‐Focused Available from Health Impact Assessment A Literature Review. http://cfsc.trunky.net/_uploads/resources/

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StreetChildrenStats FINAL.pdf. (Accessed on 20 March 33. Mukherjee N. Towards Evolving a Right‐Based 2010). Participatory Monitoring Tool for Sustainable Human 26. Rao J. The History of Child Right in India. UNICEF, India; Development and Reduction of Vulnerability of Street 2007; Available from: Children in Urban South Asia. New Delhi : Development http://www.unicef.org/india/children_3220.htm. Tracks in Research; 2005. (Accessed 5 July 2010). 34. Ministry of Women and Child Development India. The 27. I‐India. Giving Street Children a Future. I‐India; 2010; Integrated Child Protection Scheme. Government of Available from: http://www.i‐indiaonline.com/prog_ India: Ministry of Women and Child Development; 2007. ISS.html. (Accessed 21 June 2010). 35. WHO Substance Use, Health and Street Children, WHO, 28. Women Welfare Department India. An Integrated Geneva; 1993; Available from: Programme for Street Children. Women Welfare http://pangaea.org/street_children/world/who2.htm. Department India: Government of Utter Pardesh; 2007. (Accessed 28 March 2010). 29. Save the Children (2009) Making Children Rights a 36. Nigam J. Street children in India: a glimpse. Journal of reality. Save the Children; 2009: Available from: Health management 2007 Jan‐ June: 7 (1): 63‐71. http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/docs/POlicy_Bri 37. Karmakar T, Bandyopadhyay T, Seal A. International ef_Making_ childrens_rights_reality.pdf. ( Accessed 25 Conference on AIDS, Assessment of sexual health status June 2010). among the street children in the city of Calcutta. 30. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. An Calcutta: Vivekananda Education Society; 1998. Integrated Programme for Street Children 2007. 38. Aptekar L. Street Children in the Developing World: A Available from: Review of their Condition, California: San Jose State http://www.keralawomen.gov.in/applications/ University; 1994. T_1221551660281‐354.pdf. (Accessed 22 June 2010). 39. Dreamz Home for Homeless Children. Mumbai: Social 31. Sahayaraj. Empowerment and Livelihoods of Street and Development Centre and Smile Foundation; 2008. Working Children. Tamil Nadu: Arunodhaya Centre for 40. Frost R. Health Promotion Theories and Models for Street and Working Children; 2005. Programme Planning and Implementation. Arizona: 32. Women Welfare Department India. An Integrated University of Arizona; 2008. Programme for Street Children. Women Welfare Department India: Government of Utter Pardesh; 2007.

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Figure 2: Literature review process and selection of articles

Review Questions and conceptual framework developed

Search Strategy 1: Database Search strategy 2: Grey Searching Literature Citation Index

Publications identified and screenedScreening (N=75) process

Publication excluded on the basis of title and abstract (n1=30) Publications retrieved for more Analysis detail re‐evaluation (N=45) Publication excluded during review (n2=25) Review Studies included for data extraction (N=20) Study excluded (n3=5)

Studies included for synthesis result and discussion (N=15)

(N and n are studies included and excludes in each level respectively)

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Table 1: Characteristics of the included studies/ reference review

Authors and Year Study Design Study Type Outcome Measured

D’Souza et al.18 2002 Survey Quantitative Demography and epidemiology of street children and substance abuse Kacker et al.14 2007 Survey Quantitative and Demography and epidemiology, causes of qualitative children being on the street. Kanth AK.12 2004 Survey Quantitative and Causes of children being on the street qualitative Tiwari et al.13 2002 Cohort Quantitative Causes of children being on the street and risk factors of substance abuse Gaidhane et al.18 2008 Survey Quantitative and Causes and risk factors of being street children, qualitative consequences of substance abuse Rao J.26 2007 Retrospective Quantitative and Consequences of street children and substance survey qualitative abuse, strategies for preventing street children

Mukherjee N.33 2005 Descriptive Quantitative and Right based approach for preventing street qualitative children, Policies for preventing street children

Dreamz39 2008 Descriptive Quantitative and Risk factors for being children in street, qualitative preventive programmes and model used in prevention

Sarangi et al.23 2008 Crossectional Quantitative Causes of substance abuse among street children, consequences of substance abuse Pagare et al.7 2003 Descriptive Quantitative Causes of children being on street, their risk crossectional factors, and preventing substance abuse among them

Gurumurthy R.4 2000 Descriptive Quantitative and Risk behaviour among street children, qualitative prevention of risk factors Visano L.2 1990 Descriptive Quantitative Demography of street children and substance abuse Uddin et al.15 2009 Descriptive Quantitative Causes of children being in the street Nigam J.36 2007 Analytical Quantitative Policies and preventive programme on street cohort children and substance abuse Karmakar et al.37 1998 Analytical Quantitative and Effects of substance abuse, policies and cohort qualitative preventive programmes

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Common social problems among Street Children in India

2012, Advanced Research in Scientific Areas

The main objective of presented paper is to understand the common social problems encountered among street children in India. Paper outlines the social issues like child labour, street children and trafficking. In Europe, common social problems of Indian street children has not paid enough attention, only fewer and sporadic efforts to understand these problems were addressed. In this paper, the author wants to highlight common social problems among Indian street children.

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P. Yugambegai

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Once a child leaves the family home for whatever reasons-to live on the street, they labeled as a street children. Street children are the causalities of economic woes, war, poverty, loss of traditional values, domestic violence and physical and psychological abuses. They seldom have a choice in becoming a straw in the wind and going to school is always out of question. For kicks, these young souls turn to narcotics or to sniffing rubber solvent. Many street children gather money by begging, selling flowers, washing cars, shoe-shining, working in small hotels, selling water, and newspapers or other items or via prostitution, receiving only a small cut from the money that gets collected. In this study the researcher used observation and case study method to analyses the problems faced by the street children. The study took place in slum area at Chennai nearby Chennai harbour. I spent 5 weeks on the street children. This approach was appropriate as it is descriptive, and it attempts to take hold of things as they appear and interpretive.

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

Tamojit Ghosh

Innumerable children in India are deprived of their basic human rights. They are forced to work in an age when they should learn as how to read and write. These children became “street children” due to loss of their family or due to some other reasons. Despite the fact that the Constitution of India provides rights to everyone, the bitter truth is that there is a large section of children are deprived of basic human rights. These children are so helpless that they cannot even raise their voice for their basic human rights or are even not aware of their basic human rights. There are many international conventions and declarations on child rights which reflect the commitment of the international community to provide basic human rights to each and every child. At national level also there are various number of legislations which seeks to mitigate the condition of the children and to protect them from exploitation. But the ground reality is something else. The street children are fighti...

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology IJSRST , bhawna panwar

The present study was conducted to analyze the prevalent situations and to highlight the extent of the problems faced by the street children of Bhilwara city of Rajasthan. Objectives of the study were: (1) To formulate a database profile of street children related to their socio-demographic characteristics. (2) To use this information to facilitate and encourage the development of various programs for the help of street children. The study was conducted on a sample of 300 street children (182 boys and 118 girls) age range 12-17 years, selected from public places like railway station, bus stand, footpath/pavements, under bridges of Bhilwara city Rajasthan. The descriptive survey was conducted with the help of self prepared semi-structured interview schedule to collect data.

Khwairakpam Sharmila

International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research

Chandra Shekhar

Condition of street children may be well-thought-out as worst condition. They visibility in the streets were more, or spend a larger part of their lives in the streets. They may even get money and live off the streets. Often orphaned of their families and home, accessing to basic needs and comforts of life negligible, these are the most marginalized lot of all the children in the urban areas. Hence, it was deemed necessary to make an assessment of the condition of such children of two cities, i.e., Bhagalpur and Patna. A purposive sample had been collected of one hundred and ninety-seven of street children was taken for this study. The results of this study had been presented in various heads like attributes, pattern of street living, family connections, and attitudes and perceptions.

Shahina Parveen

The present study is a sociological study of the Street Children’s which casts light on Scenario and Status of the street children across the country and also discusses the strategies contrived for the welfare and rehabilitation of street children in the country as well as in the state of Rajasthan. The study explores the various aspects and exposes the harsh realities of the daily life of the street children in four major cities of Rajasthan- Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Jodhpur. The problem of street children is becoming more serious because of their increasing number day by day and violation of Child Rights by the society at large, in order to fulfill their vested interests. The GOs & NGOs are making all efforts to check the problem and extending their helping hand to the children in difficult circumstances, through various schemes and outreach programmes. So this study expatiate “strategies” that is being adopted by the GOs and NGOs in this respect during a last couple of years. The first chapter of the study deals with introduction and back ground of the problem comprising meaning and definition, category, characteristics, factors, problems, concerned issues and scenario in numbers and status. Second Chapter is an attempt to understand the critical and phenomenal nature of the street children through reviewing available literature. Third chapter introduces the methodology used for this study and how it has guided data collection and analysis process. It explains the research objectives and a suitable methodology to achieve those objectives. The objectives of this study were to identify and explore the different aspects of the life of street children in Rajasthan. Chapter four tries to discuss the phenomenon of the street children in context of daily life, stories and narratives about the hardship of the life on streets, source of livelihood, problems faced by children and characteristics through fact findings and data analysis. The Chapter presents a real scenario of the plight of street children in four districts of Rajasthan. Chapter Five provides detailed information about interventions, laws and enforcement, policies in the country and Rajasthan. Chapter Six deals with the evaluation of policies, programmes and schemes related with child welfare. In this chapter, strengths and weaknesses of the official policies has been laid down. Since this is a problem that is confronting the entire society, chapter examines the lacuna and bottlenecks within the system. Chapter Seven discusses the role of Civil Societies and NGOs, different stake holders like police, Railway Department, Health Department, and Education Department. Last but not the least Chapter Eight presents findings & conclusions along with both long term and short term solutions of the problem. The present study reveals the harsh realities of street life and plight of street children in Rajasthan. Moreover it establishes the need of district wise study to understand the phenomena of street children in Rajasthan. Children are the future of the nation and are building blocks. They need safe, secure, child friendly environment regardless their ethnicity. The issues of children are very sensitive and needs a sensitive approach and child friendly approach to deal with. Family strengthening & preservation approach should be integrate in all policies and programmes to protect their right to family. Hopefully the study will be an eye opening to understand the phenomena of street children in Rajasthan.

International Res Jour Managt Socio Human

The phenomenon of Street children is neither new nor confined to any particular region. Different societies, have over the decades been responding to the situation in their own styles. While at some places the problem is being tackled in a systematic manner, in many other situations the responses have just been ad hoc. The mental makeup of an adult is to a substantial extent the product of the environment in which he or she has grown as a child. Differences in attitudes to life, personal traits, value system and even skills can often be traced back to physical and socio-economic milieu surrounding of the child in its formative years. Factors like the availability or lack of protective family care and affection, of various necessities and luxuries and access to various facilities like education, health- care, recreation etc all have a contribution to make towards the growth of a person’s personality and shape his or her future life.

Education and New Developments

Antonija Huljev

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Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2014

A study on plight of street children in india: an ignored tragedy.

Dr. K. V. Ravi Kumar

The aim of this study to investigate the problems that are facing by children who are lived in the streets in India. The street children of today can be the guerillas and terrorists of tomorrow. Millions of street children suffering from hunger, homelessness and poverty around the world. In the developing country like India, most of the street children live and work amidst trash, animals and open sewers etc., The harsh living conditions and the illiteracy seems to increase the irresponsibility of parents to take care for their children with regard to health and development, so that the parents driven out their children to the streets. The street children are becoming most vulnerable to many dangers such as chronic diseases and abuses in the society. There is a research gap existed to route–out the welfare conditions of the street children, and therefore, my paper is highlight on the problems that are facing by the street children in India.

Article: Download PDF    DOI : 10.36106/ijar    Cite This Article:

Dr. K. V. Ravi Kumar A STUDY ON PLIGHT OF STREET CHILDREN IN INDIA: AN IGNORED TRAGEDY Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.4, Issue : 11 November 2014

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