A Study on Socio-Economic Condition of Street Children (A Case Study of Kalanki Area) Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

The problem of street children is universal phenomenon. It is comparatively very high in those countries where there is rapid growth of urbanization. The number of street children has grown in recent decades because of widespread recession, political turmoil, civil unrest, increasing family disintegration, natural disaster, and growing urbanization. The street children could be orphaned or abandoned children or simply neglected or runways. They could be with or without family. They are also termed as community children. Because of the various reasons such as family causes, social causes, economic causes, political causes that force them to be in the street. Many social organizations and service centers are mushrooming throughout the country with a motto to support needy street children. However, we cannot see much change brought to the lives of these street children. There is a lack of coordinated and concentrated effort to address this problem collectively. Because of the lack of street child legislation it is extremely difficult to monitor the performance of such centers and government organizations. During the research, 50 samples from Kalanki were taken along with semi observation technique to acquire relevant information and data. Secondary data from social workers and NGOs are used significantly. Majority of the street children aged between 9 to 13 years are migrating to Kathmandu for survival and being street children. The highest number of the street children are from the caste of Brahmin/Chhetri. And rest of the children from dalit castes like Kami, Damai, Sarki and Nepali.The literacy status of the respondents is low. Most of them dropped out school due to economic crisis in family and not paid school fee. Many children do have homes and parents. Even do, they are in the street because most of the parents are alcoholic, economic crisis in family, for searching jobs in Kathmandu, city attraction from their friends, etc. It is observed that extreme household poverty is the contributing factor for migration of children and engaging in street work. In addition, alcoholic father and abusive behaviour of step parents and not sending their children school are the important reasons of children leaving home. Influenced by others is another significant reason given by children for leaving home.Street children are involved in different economic activities such as ragpicking, begging, hotel, tempo/micro bus conductor, domestic work, street vender, tourist guide, etc. These are the main occupations of street children. Those children who feel bad with their jobs, they get inhuman treatment from their employers and have not secure in the street. Being risky and hazardous work for children they encounter with various injuries/accidents and illness during working period. But, they are not provided medical expenses. On the other hand, they are extremely harassed and abused by adults. Mostly they use drugs just for relax. They need more freedom and forget any kind of problem. But some children use drugs for killing sadness and fear. They use when they have to involve in crime, stealing and pick pocketing jobs. Almost all children want to leave drugs to fulfill their future plan and for betterment of their life.