A sociological analysis streetism in Accra

Abstract

This study is a sociological analysis of streetism in Accra. It examined the factors that push children into the streets, their encounters and effects of the experiences in the streets, and the social protection mechanisms available to support street children. The main theoretical resource employed was the resilience approach. Interviews and observations were used to collect primary data from a cell of five street children and people in four child protection agencies. The data collected were analysed through template and thematic analysis. Unlike traditional studies where street children are viewed as delinquents, the discussions showed that street children are very resilient individuals who survive the harsh realities of street life. The risk of violence in the streets, and life-threatening experiences there means that children being in the streets needs to be understood in the context of life‘s adversities, injustice and vulnerabilities that children have to endure in making that final decision to be in the streets. In terms of the reasons for the intractability of streetism, it was found that children come to the street because of perplexing familial and micro as well as macro level social and economic issues such as loss of parents, family poverty and gaps in child protection. Street children find solace on the streets because life has become very difficult and unsustainable for them in the places where they originated. In the streets they work pottering, hawking, as driver mates or security for shop owners and other vulnerable people. They suffer several things including health problems, lack of shelter and exposure to all kinds of vulnerable situations. While some occasionally join gangs or engage in activities that are untoward, the majority remain chaste in the hope of a better future. In terms of effects, streetism affects children in several ways: 1) it denies the children their childhood and forces them to be responsible for their own lives; 2) children become prey and vulnerable to many harsh social conditions in the streets; 3) the children depended on peer groups to provide them with security and protection; 4). some become victims of unsafe sexual practices and drug abuse; 5) they are denied basic needs such as security and shelter. Although there are children protection mechanisms to support street children, they are directed to help regular children in schools and communities. As such, street children remain on the margins. Therefore, it is recommended that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection should develop specific protection mechanisms targeted at securing alternative livelihoods and safety nests for street children.