The challenges faced by children living on the streets

Abstract

A serious risk facing children worldwide is homelessness and living on the streets. This paper sought to provide an understanding into the interplaying factors promoting the prevalence of children living on the streets. To contextualise the findings, a literature review method was used to understand the challenges of children living on the streets. Challenges associated with residing on the streets include the likelihood of harm as a result of risky sexual behaviour which can be escalated by their vulnerability and lack of a protective parent. Furthermore, children living on the streets are at risk of being involved in chronic and relapsing conditions associated with drug abuse and other criminal activities. Recovery can be a very long enduring process. Moreover, some are also likely to die from hunger and there is a lot of potential that is buried as a result of living on the streets. This paper uses the ecological perspective to emphasise and articulate the role of the social context in shaping the lives of children.