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Street children in Pakistan: A situational analysis of social conditions and nutritional status

Author

Listed:
  • Ali, Moazzam
  • Shahab, Saqib
  • Ushijima, Hiroshi
  • de Muynck, Aime

Abstract

This paper examines the social conditions and nutritional status of street children in Pakistan. Nutritional status is evaluated by an assessment of height and weight relative to age. A heterogeneous sample of 108 street children in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was studied. One hundred and one of them were children "on the street" having regular family contact; seven were "of the street", without any family contact. Most street children came from large families which had recently moved to the city in search of economic opportunities. Their parents had low education levels and were either unemployed or employed in unskilled occupations. Poverty clearly was an important factor. The majority of the children moved to the street to augment family income. Most of the children were males (81%) and the average age at beginning life on the street was under 10 years. The majority was working 8-12Â h daily with an average income of Rs. 40-60 per day (US $1=Rs. 60). Important issues were parental exploitation, police harassment, abuse, and the impact of other street peers in their lives. The distribution of height-for-age relative to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference standard showed that 20% were stunted and 12% had wasting. Wasting was equal between sexes, while fewer girls than boys were stunted. The study concludes that the issue of street children in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is mainly one of "children on the street," while "children of the street" are an exceptional phenomenon. It was noted that, with some exceptions, street children in other world regions share similar risk factors and backgrounds. Findings from this study will facilitate both the identification of high-risk families, i.e. those whose children are likely to take to the street, and timely preventive and rehabilitative measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali, Moazzam & Shahab, Saqib & Ushijima, Hiroshi & de Muynck, Aime, 2004. "Street children in Pakistan: A situational analysis of social conditions and nutritional status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(8), pages 1707-1717, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:59:y:2004:i:8:p:1707-1717
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Somaiyeh Vedadi & Syed Muhammad Javed Iqbal & Saqib Muneer, 2013. "Street Children and its Impact on Educational Attainment in North-Western State (Punjab) of Pakistan," Journal of Education and Vocational Research, AMH International, vol. 4(12), pages 366-372.
    2. Esther Coren & Rosa Hossain & Jordi Pardo Pardo & Mirella MS Veras & Kabita Chakraborty & Holly Harris & Anne J Martin, 2013. "Interventions for Promoting Reintegration and Reducing Harmful Behaviour and Lifestyles in Street‐connected Children and Young People: A Systematic Review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 1-171.
    3. Abekah-Carter, Kwamina & Boateng, Alice & Dako-Gyeke, Mavis, 2024. "Pushed and pulled onto the streets: Perspectives of street children in Accra, Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    4. Shahraki, Saeed Zanganeh & Fouladiyan, Majid & Toosifar, Jamal, 2020. "Child labor processes in the city of Mashhad: A narrative study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Meena Mathur, 2009. "Socialisation of Street Children in India," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 21(2), pages 299-325, July.
    6. Harris, Melissa S. & Johnson, Knowlton & Young, Linda & Edwards, Jessica, 2011. "Community reinsertion success of street children programs in Brazil and Peru," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 723-731, May.

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