International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 12 Street Children and its Impacts on Society Sarfraz Ahmed University: Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology Abstract: The present research was aimed to explore the nature of Children on the Streetâ€TMs relationship with Society and its impacts such as living conditions, basic needs; behaviour of people and police, education, harassment. Using the purposive and convenience sampling technique, forty children on the street were selected for interviews from the areas, Golra Shareef and Bari Imam of Islamabad. Interview based questionnaire has been used as research tool and based on that questionnaire, analysis is provided in chapter four with details. The results indicate that the main factors behind pushing children to the street are poverty, unemployment, orphaned, and disability, which leads these children towards terrorism and many other social evils. Such children are viewed negatively by the people and are considered a social burden. This research revealed that most of the children on the street face harassment but females face more than males. Children on the street are abused physically by police as well. It also focused that the behavior of society towards street children is not positive. Street is the most dangerous and threatening place for physical and sexual abuse. Keywords: Street, Children Poverty, Begging and Society‟s Behavior. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background The problems of street children are universal. It is more common in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Poverty, family breakup due to disputes or death, neglect, abuse or abandonment, and social disorders are all common starts for a child‟s life on the street. Childhood is the most important phase of human life. It is the phase when human foundations are laid for a healthy and successful adult life. Many children, instead of spending their childhood in a fun-loving and carefree environment are forced to work at an early age. It is evident that the number of Children on the Street is rising due to various inevitable happenings around the world. Street Children considered a social burden in many developing countries in the world. Street children phenomenon is growing with the passage of time and most of government and civil society is worried about them. A number of charity programs have already started to tackle this issue nationally and internationally but still they are a long way from introducing a planned strategy to overcome this nuisance. Amongst the reasons were lack of policy direction, basic flaws in the policies, implementation issues and lack of priorities setting by both private and public sectors. Because of the cold attitude of those who matter the ground realities have remained unchanged. As problem gets deeper the efforts and commitments needed to bring these children to the mainstream of the society but is forgotten altogether. 1.2. Street Children in Pakistan In Pakistan, children on the street belonged to broken and overcrowded families (six to ten children per family), psychologically and emotionally disturbed due to family pressures, abuses, neglect, and growing urbanization and industrialization. They were mostly illiterate with a few exceptions of those having received formal education. The most common causes were family breakdown, poverty, disability, unemployment etc. According to Centre for Research and Social Development (CRSD): "1.2 Million Children are on the street in major cities of Pakistan and working as rag-pickers, hawking small goods, shining shoes, washing cars, involved in petty crimes, sniffing glue and other drugs. Some also drift into prostitution to make extra money and there are some who only steal and prostitute themselves, Many of them are found near religious shrines, bus stations, and railway stations constantly exposed to various risks and become more vulnerable". Around 43% of total population in Pakistan is under 15 years of age and 48 million adults are below the poverty line earning less than $2 a day. Children on the Street work 12-15 hours a day to earn their livelihood. Only in Karachi, the estimated population of street children is 15,000 out of which 83% street children sniff glue, 45% are involved in crimes and 49% are at high risk of HIV and AIDS. 1.3. Significance of the study The understanding of street children, as an important segment of the society, became crucial because they possess very unique characteristics within themselves. Poor households face financial constraints which lead their children to work, begging in the street under severe conditions. They are deprived of basic rights, like education, health, etc, while meeting the household expenses. The presence of street children and their practical experiences can make or break their personality which ultimately would affect the whole society. This study has attempted to disclose different socio-economic issues and challenges of Children on the Street which could be utilized to solve the social problems and make the society healthy, prosperous and sustainable. This study would give insight about this segment of the society. This research will further enlighten the impact of street children on society. International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 13 1.4. Statement of problem The purpose of the exploratory study was to understand the situation of street children and its factors that turn them into the street children. Furthermore this study also requires and understands the behavior and impacts of society towards street children. Furthermore this study focuses on children on the street phenomena and problems faced by them. Children on the Street transpire as the result of poverty, abuse, torture, orphaned, family breakdowns and disputes. 1.5. Aim of the Study: The research aims to study whether children willingly adopt the street or forced as the result of poverty, abuse, torture, disability, being orphaned etc. The family which was responsible for children‟s well-being and protection has become a major cause of the problem of children on the street. Children come to streets to escape from domestic violence or breaking of the family structure. Poverty also forces an increasing number of street children vis-à-vis rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing disparities in wealth. Street children a phenomenon is also due to breakdown of the traditional family and community structures, which leave children unprotected. Such children face hardships and dangers on the streets, lack of food, clean water and adequate health care on the streets. They are often victims of physical, social, psychological and moral danger and as they grow older they often become a danger to others and they involved in street crime, terrorism and so on. And attempt was made to understand why instead of being raised and nurtured at homes under protected environment. The children tend to prefer street life that is full of hard realities. Whether they adopted street by choice or by default or they became part of it by some external influences. The fact was that Children on the Street phenomenon have existed in all the societies including shrines of Golra Shareef and Bari Imam though its severity varies from community to community. Population, dependency ratio, degradation of institutional management, feeble internal and external intervention, and mismanagement of available resources also give rise to the number of Street Children. It does not only involve over exploitation but also signifies the underutilization of available and alternate resources due to unawareness, mass illiteracy and poor access to development sources. Poverty together with backwardness, lack of alternative income sources, fewer employment opportunities, stagnant agricultural technology, and logistic constraints in terms of productive infrastructure support and external linkages presents an integrated set of problem in Pakistan. 1.6. Research objectives: The main objectives of the study are:1 . To find the Reasons of begging, 2. To find the behaviors of society towards street children. 3. To find the impacts of street children on society. 4. To disclose the issues and challenges faced by Children on Street. 1.7. Research Question: 2. What are the reasons of begging? 3. What are behaviors of society towards street children? 4. How they impact on society? 5. What problems faced by Children on the Street? 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1. Definitions of Street Children Definitions of street children are unclear and have received a lot of criticism but one thing is clear that the term street children, is widely in use. A few things are found common almost in every definition and criticism is meant to give a clear idea about what this research is all about and the findings related to street children and their environment. The key word is this definition is „street‟ that has become their real home rather than their family. United Nations has added one thing more i.e. the source of livelihood is street and rest of phrase having the same illustration which states, "Any boy or girl for whom the street in the widest sense of the word has become his or her habitual abode and/or source of livelihood, and who is inadequately protected, supervised, or directed by responsible adult" (Cited in Swart-Kruger & Donald. 1994, p. 108 & Panter Brick 20003, P. 149). This is the most comprehensive and acceptable delineation about the street children phenomenon expressed till today. UNICEF has categorized the street children into two parts mainly, those who have or do not have any contact with their family, the latter is more vulnerable than the former as research suggests. Former category was available on the streets for work, fun, passing time, but remains neglected and was subjected to sexual or physical abuse. In some countries this category of street children is in majority and Pakistan is positioned as one of those countries. Latter category represented those who had lost their family contacts for some reason through either natural or man-made disasters, family breakdown, or having been abandoned, abducted by notorious groups or were runaways. In this study the second category of street children (children on the street) is focused. 2.2. Theoretical Reflections: 2.2.1. Humanistic Paradigm How the researcher conduct social research is impacted by how he see the social world. The researcher word view and the perspective that is core to much of the literature on street children are both very much consistent with the humanistic paradigm. The researcher agrees with humanists who argue that individuals are capable of understanding their own behavior and that the meaning of behavior is essentially personal and subjective (Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, Rollo May). This emphasis on subjective meaning is compatible with the use of methods of research that are more qualitative in nature International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 14 and that allow respondents to explain their realities in their own way. It is true that the impact of street children on society do not fit in a single paradigm, yet humanistic theory which is often considered the theory of individual growth and development is the predominant paradigm of practice within the literature of street children and their impact on society. This research is also based on the "Laissez-faire" theory of Adam Smith. 2.2.2. Laissez-faire: The laissez-faire (French: "allow todo") is the theory that shows, minimum government interference in the economic activity of the individuals and society. Free market economy and competition is necessary for an economy to prosper. This theory is based on the assumption that an individual who is set free to pursue his own desires would achieve the best results for him and for the society he is part of. And the role of the state is to maintain the law and order situation and provide the platform through which an indicial can achieve his desired goals. This theory received greater support in classical economics as it was developed under the influence of philosopher and economist Adam Smith. Maximum working hours, child labor laws and the factory health codes that are defined by the government has deteriorated the conditions of the children and it is a clear violation of their human rights (Dhamee, 1995). 2.2.3. Relevance of Theory to Research: Smith‟s theory Laissez-faire Smith‟s theory Laissez-faire argues that there should be minimum government intervention in the business affairs and that it is the duty of the state to provide the platform through which an individual can achieve his desired goals. The issues of street children inacute in the developing countries; Lack of resources and bad governance has become an obstacle to provide a platform through which an individual can reach his maximum potential. The state is unable to perform its duties. As a result, children are forced to work under severe conditions to meet the financial expenses of the household. 2.2.4. Application of Theory: Smith‟s theory Laissez-faire is applied on this research. Since Pakistan was incepted, the issue of political turmoil has created chaos throughout the country. The issue of poverty, bad governance, growing terrorism and sectarianism has diverted the attention of the government from providing basic needs to its people. The present schools are unable to provide good education to the students. Lack of basic education and proper health services has created frustration in the youth that they are ready to do anything. Poor household while meeting the financial constraints force their children to work under severe conditions. The regulatory authorities and the state are unable to protect children from the social evils like begging, child labour etc. These laws are universally ignored and more than 11 million children aged four to fourteen years are still working as street children and child laborers in Pakistan. 2.3. Review of literature: During the course of this study no data on large scale was identified, dealing with challenges faced by children on the street in Pakistan. The most common challenges faced by street children are lack of food, clean water, toilets, clothes, shelter, health issues, different forms of abuse and harassment. Equal access to basic education is the fundamental right of all children. Educated workforce is required to boost the economy in a sustained manner. Children from poor households, particularly girls and the minorities are denied of basic education. Therefore the access of education should be improved by building public schools and improving the public health resources to make education common for all (Jabari et al., 2005). Social problems seem to appear independent but at times emerge due to economic crisis. In any society good health, quality education, and reasonable employment opportunities to the people are considered the stake of success and are indispensable for human development. But to become healthier and erudite individuals, amputation of economic inequality and fair distribution of national wealth is a precondition. Economic status in fact decides the form of interaction with other people and their social class whereas parent‟s economic situation decides the providence and future of children. It all starts from home that how they are socialized with the family members and how their family takes care of them. ". There are harmful consequences and effects on a child, who is being physically or sexually abused. There are three main consequences of effects on emotional development which are short and medium-term, effects on social and intellectual development which are also medium term and pathological effects which are long term. Long term pathological effects of child abuse include mental illness, drug taking, delinquency and violent crime. And short term effects of child sexual abuse include fearfulness, depression, withdrawal and suicide, aggression, hostility low selfesteem, guilt and shame, physical symptoms etc. The reasons of children becoming beggars are poverty, family violence, unemployment, increasing population, trafficking, drug addiction etc. Some children are abused at home as well as at streets (Iqbal M.W> 2010). According to a report, it is estimated that in 1998-1999, 30.6% of Pakistanis were living below the poverty line. The estimate stands at 23.9% in the period 2004-2005 dropped to 22.3% by 2005-2006. Rural poverty was estimated at 27% in 20052006. One of the objectives of this study is to observe the various street experiences which children go through in their lives. Socialization also plays significant role in children‟s life whether they are street children or protected children. In many rural areas of developing world, governments are unable to provide basic amenities. As population grows, limited land resources for farming must be shared among more people. This results in the displacement of huge numbers of people from rural areas, high rural urban International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 15 migration rates, the social breakup of families and villages, and loss of traditional cultures. Poverty is becoming more concentrated in urban areas in developing countries as more people move from rural areas. Half of the children living in urban areas in developing countries live in extreme poverty. Dependency ratios the huge numbers of children under 15 years of age in developing countries creates an enormous economic burden in terms of providing services such as health and education, and also in eventually being able to provide employment. Children are more vulnerable to place into informal economy. They are neglected because of large size of family and lack of financial resources. These children‟s focus remains only on survival, and they can do anything for shelter and survival. The street for such children is just like a forest where, in struggle for life, only the fittest survives. In existential terms, it is usually perceived as a place of hunger, suffering, exclusion, trauma and loneliness. According to Herbert Spencer, "those best suited to the environment will survive over others. Growth is seen as a competition between living things." While using the Darwin‟s phrase, "the survival of the fittest" under the principal of natural selection, He further states, " "The term street children itself has very negative implications, especially as "the street" is correlated with crime and deviance." Human development is not confined to physical development only. Its scope is much broader such as cognitive and educational development. If basic needs are denied, it effects the whole development. For example if food is not available what to speak of balanced food then physical development will be affected, that hinders cognitive development and finally ends up in behavioural development. If food, education and health care are not available for children then an unhealthy and an illiterate society will be emerge. Exploitation and various abuses will be on rise in the society, which has direct impact on or at least is considered obstacle in children‟s human development. "It is also worth mentioning that child abuse, whether physical, sexual or child labour is defined as anything that has a negative impact on child development (Onyango. 1991). An introductory letter on convention on the Rights of the Child shows the seriousness of the issue, "When the Convention on the Rights of the Child was unanimously adopted by the forty-fourth United Nations General Assembly on 20 th November 1989, the international community took a major step towards recognizing and insuring the basic dignity and rights of child in all parts of the world, including their rights to survival, protection and development. Protection embraces all of above, but also covers all forms of exploitation and cruelty (by some estimates, 100 million children abandoned by their families live on the streets of the world‟s major cities. Almost invariably, those street children who can work are exploited or otherwise abusedeconomically , physically and often sexually). Participation rights include the freedom to express opinion and to have a say in matters affecting one‟s own life, as well as the right to play an active role in society at large. The convention recognizes their vulnerability and speaks on their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as elements of an independent or mutually reinforcing set of provisions. "Study of Children on Street" final report conducted for National Commission for Child Welfare and Development, Ministry of Women Development clearly indicates the state of mind of children, role and attitude of society towards them. Factor affecting a Child to adopt life on street are: Parent‟s Influence e.g. parents failure to properly guide and control their children, parents untimely death, inability of guardians taking over, they being unreasonably harsh and frequently punishing their children and too poor to afford their education and compel their children to labour for earning, quarrelsome parents lack of religious practice and guidance to their children. Teacher‟s Influence: Teachers awarding hard punishments for indiscipline, not doing homework, non-payment of fees, and the way teachers teach, make them disinterested in learning. 2.3.1. 1989: Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Definition of a Child: According to the article 1, "A child means every human being below the age of eighteen (18) unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier". The convention, has been distinctly depicted as "Magna Carta" or "Bill of Rights" for children, urges the state parties to channelize their available resources to the maximum extent and where needed within the framework of international co-operation bearing in mind to economic, social, cultural rights and rights of survival and development. "The 54 article of the convention set standards that address the neglect and abuse which children face in most countries to varying degrees every day. The convention recognizes their vulnerability and speaks to their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as element of an independent or mutually reinforcing, set provision. It was adopted unanimously y the United Nations General Assembly and will be an important yard stick for the protection and treatment of children in rich and poor nations alike." 2.3.2. Frame Work: National Plan of Action for Children 2002: The National Plan of Action (NPA) for children in Pakistan need to be visualized which should set target and indicators to access progress toward the achievement of the goals and to measure the changes in the status of the indicators through effective monitoring and evaluation system. The general measures required are: i. Enhancing wide spread awareness and understanding of the Rights of the Childs. ii. Developing monitoring and evaluation system. iii. Putting in place, effective national laws, policies and action plans and allocating resources. International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 16 iv. Establishing or strengthening national bodies, e.g. independent ombudsmen. 2.4. Conceptual Framework: This research is primary in nature. It is descriptive and Qualitative in its context. Contextual relevance, usefulness and fitness for purpose are very important for a qualitative study. A qualitative study allows individuals to be studied in their natural setting, data can be collected from the respondents and participants are able to give feedback. Semistructured qualitative interviews were selected thus providing scope to explore the views of a small number of respondents whose knowledge or experience is relevant to the study. This type of interview is aimed at building understanding rather than collecting data to be quantified. This type of interview can be helpful in refining data collection as well as clarifying findings from other data collection methods. Textual analysis is used to analyze the data because this technique is based on the assumption that there can be infinite number of possible interpretations of any text. This data has helped the researcher to get rich knowledge about the impact of street children on society. Independent Variable Dependent Variable Street children arise because of poverty; low household income, lack of basic education and health services. The impact of street children on society is long lasting. When an individual is engaged in worst forms of children, he became more exposed to various physical and mental hazards. Street children adversely affect the social development of the child. It deprives an individual to positively interact with the society and child is unable to achieve desired goals for him/her and the society. 3.METHODOLOGY AND METHODS 3.1. Area of the Study: The area of my research was Islamabad. 3.2. Sample selection: The sample of this study includes different articles written on street children who will enable the researcher to get rich knowledge and understanding of how street children faced the problem and their effects on society. Purposive and Convenience sampling technique was employed for the study. Considering the objectives, set for the study, purposive sampling is more suitable as well as being a student of social science convenience sampling provides a way to target population in the neighboring areas. 3.3. Sample Size and Characteristics Sample size targeted for this study was 40 out of which 20 children on the street were female and 20 were male. Age limit of children was 9-15 years. There was no boundary of caste, gender and ethnicity during the study. The researcher reached few more but after meeting them it was learned that they did not meet age limit criteria. But their view point is also including in the form of perception about street children. 3.4. Population frame: Since Islamabad is divided into two constituencies namely NA-48 and NA-49, this study aimed to include the street children of the both constituencies, therefore the researcher‟s main focus to Golra Shareef and Imam Bari to cover both constituencies. The population frame further included all the children of Islamabad who are working as street children (Begging on the street). 3.5. Unit of analysis: Problems faced by street children and their impact on society will be analyzed in context of Islamabad 3.6. Type of the study: This study is primary in nature. It is descriptive and Qualitative in its context. An inductive approach is used to understand the street children and their impact on society. 3.7. Research Tool Interview based questionnaire has been used as research tool. 3.8. Rationale of Locale The study was conducted in Shrine of Bari Imam, Golra Shareef and different Van Stops in Islamabad. These places are significant for the study in question because, mostly the children are found in such areas. The popularity of these places is the Van Stops while Bari Imam is also famous because of the Shrine of Bari Imam (which also occupies the name of the place) and same as Golra Shreef. 3.9. Researcher's strength: Being a student of social science has exposed the researcher to different aspects of development. By using textual analysis the researcher will be able to relate the contradictions between development policy and its implementation regarding street children. 3.10. Instrument development/selection: Online resources were be used to collect data from different case studies, already published journals, articles, newspapers and books. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were selected thus providing scope to explore the views of a small number of respondents whose knowledge or experience is relevant to the study. This type of interview is aimed at building understanding rather than collecting data to be quantified. This type of interview can be helpful in refining data collection as well as clarifying findings from other data collection methods. This type of interviews has helped the researcher to get rich knowledge about the impact of street children on society. 3.11. Data collection procedures: The data collection technique that the researcher has used include in depth study of the previous researches that were conducted in the field of Street Children and their impact on society. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from the Street children Impacts on Society International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 17 respondents to have a clear understanding of what problems faced by children and their how they impacts on society. 3.12. Data analysis techniques: Contextual relevance, usefulness and fitness for purpose are very important. A qualitative study allows individuals to be studied in their natural setting, data can be collected in the words of the respondents, participants are able to give feedback and the study may be adjusted if necessary to better respond to the particularities of the context. Therefore, textual analysis is used to analyze the data because this technique is based on the assumption that there can be infinite number of possible interpretations of any text. The method of analysis chosen for this study was a data-driven inductive thematic analysis (Boyatzis, 1998, Aronson, 1994). This technique is based on the assumption that data is reduced in different themes that are important for the proper description of the phenomenon. Data analysis constitutes of three major steps: reducing the data into themes; displaying the data based on different themes; and drawing conclusion. Data was primarily analyzed after every interview. Then the data was classified into themes and conclusions were drawn. 3.13. Limitations When the researcher tried to interact with the street children, the first thing he discovered was that street children knew the tactics of swindling money from a researcher by asserting their Majburi (helplessness), Lachari (oppressiveness). Second, the researcher felt it very difficult to make them understand the purpose of the study and his stay and work in the field. Mistrust was the prominent feature of Bari Imam and Golra Shareef where nobody was ready to trust anybody until and unless one becomes familiar to them which require long stay, frequent monitoring for reinforcing contacts, reward at regular basis and influential reference. Even after removing all the misconception, some of the people including children remained scared of the Researcher and escaped from the scene, while some senior children were hesitant to disclose information without being paid. After having frequent interaction the researcher was able to build trust and collect the required data successfully. 3.14. Research Ethics The Research ethics followed throughout my research were:  I took permission from the respondent to be interviewed.  There was no hierarchical relation between me and respondent. For that, during the interviews from street children, I kept my dressing very casual and always tried to speak like that how they did.  The names of the respondents remained anonymous.  I assured them that the knowledge s/he shared will remain confidential and it will only be used for my research.  I tried my best to make this research interactive and interchanging. 4. ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION Interviews were noted down on papers due to convenience of interviewers. Notes were taken during the interview where they were necessary and discourse analysis and narrative analysis were also carried out during the interviews. Moreover, cross questioning after the interview was one in order to yield an unbiased data from researchers own knowledge. Interviews were transcribed for extracting verbatim and for content and thematic analysis. Later, themes were developed to address the research questions under study for effective analysis of the data. Following themes emerged from the data analysis. 4.1. Themes The data was collected from research participants of age group of 9-14 through in-depth interviews. The themes which emerged after data analysis were different from each other which are as under: 4.1.1. Poverty and Children on the Street There are different causes of poverty such as large families (consisting of six to eight dependents) with single bread earner, lack of access to resources such as education and employment etc. There were also another reasons found among the Children on the Street beside poverty which brought them to the streets. These are mentioned in table no. one. 100% respondents said they were on the street or beg because of poverty. Beside that every child mentioned other reasons also e.g. disability, orphaned or no breadwinner at home etc.They wanted and need to support their family in the beginning by collecting money, latter they became habitual of street life. Table.1.Reasons of begging /why children came to streets Reasons Boys Girls Total Count %age (out of 20) Count %age (out of 20) Count %age (out of 40) Poverty 9 45% 13 65% 22 55% Poverty + Orphan 5 25% 4 20% 9 22.5% Poverty + Disables 4 20% 2 10% 6 15% Poverty + No bread earner 2 10% 1 5% 3 7.5% 4.1.2. Basic Needs Deprivation of basic needs such as food, shelter, and education was preventing children from utilizing their International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 18 potential to become productive part of society. It also stimulated psychological distress in numerous children and prevented them from becoming obedient member of society. Basic amenities of children on street were purchased by different sources. 28 respondents said that their father/mother works but that money was not enough to fulfill their needs. 12 respondents said they purchase their basic amenities by that collected amount. Table.2.Purchasing of Basic Amenities Reasons Boys Girls Total Count %age (out of 20) Count %age (out of 20) Count %age (out of 40) Mother/father earn + by this Collected Amount 13 65% 15 75% 28 70% By this Collected Amount 7 35% 5 25% 12 30% 4.1.3. Enrolment in Education Children on street of different places of Islamabad were not willing to get education due to various reasons: firstly they themselves were not interested in getting education at all, secondly failure of their parents to pay fees, buy books, and provide uniforms, and thirdly their fear of physical punishment in schools. Only 2 out of 40 children on the street were enrolled in school and both were boy. Not a single girl was enrolled. 21 children left school out of which 9 were boys and 12 were girls. 4 respondents said they were Madrasa students and these 4 were also boys. 13 respondents said they never attended school, out of which 5 were boys and 8 were girls. We can see a great difference between females and males at this level as well. Table.3. Enrollment in Schools Responses Boys Girls Total Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) Enrolled in school 2 10% - 2 5% Left school 9 45% 12 60% 21 52.5% Madrasa students 4 20% - 4 10% Never attended school 5 25% 8 40% 13 32.5% 4.1.4. Harassment Children on the street faced different forms of harassment during the period of their work. 17 respondents said that people harass them verbally or by gestures, male respondents said "galiyan nikalty hain or martay hain" a female respondent said "mard upar sir sy paon tak ghoortay hain phir kehtay hain sath chalo pesay doonga". 13 respondents said people harass them physically by touching their body while walking. A female respondent said "chalty huway hath laga k jaty hain, kabhi kabhi dopatta khenchty hain". 5 respondents said "sometimes people grabbed their hand and dragged towards a car or taxi but they escaped by shouting and crying". 5 male respondents said "they never had such experience like this but not a single girl said she never experienced". This showed that female children on the street faced more harassment as compare to males. Table.4. Harassment Responses Boys Girls Total Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) Verbally/ by gestures 8 40% 9 45% 17 42.5% Physically by touching 5 25% 8 40% 13 32.5% Forcedly by dragging 2 10% 3 15% 5 12.5% Never happened 5 25% - 5 12.5% 4.1.5. Behaviour of Police with Children on the Street Police is one of the law enforcement agencies whose role is to protect people from criminal rudiments and possible threats of impish forces. Police has become an unsupportive force, being vicious by brutal and exercised blind power. Instead of providing security and peace to the society and its inhabitants, the police are considered as the doers of insecurity and danger. Children on the Street were the most vulnerable to the high handedness of police as they were easily spotted and became their victims. Police bring them to police station, abuse them physically and snatch the money of children which they collect. According to respondents, behaviour of police towards them was not good. 19 respondents said police brought them to police station and forced to work and clean the whole rooms and washrooms. 12 respondents said police snatched their money and took them to police station and also charge fine International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 19 from the parents for releasing children, a female respondent said "police waly daaly may daal k lay jatay hain pesay bhi cheentay hain, phir jab ghr say koi lenay aye to un say bhi 1000-2000 lay k phir jany detay hain." 9 respondents said police snatched their money, slapped on face and hit by stick. As a respondent said, "pesay cheentay hain na dain to tha par martay hain or danday sy marty hain". Table.5. Behaviour of Police Responses Boys Girls Total Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) Snatch the money & torture them by slapping on face, hitting by stick. 5 25% 4 20% 9 22.5% Take us to police station/snatch the money/take fine from parents 7 35% 5 25% 12 30% Take us to police station/force to clean the rooms &washroom 8 40% 11 55% 19 47.5% 4.1.6. Daily Income of Children on the Street 17 Children on the street said they collect/earn 50-150 rupees daily. 16 respondents said they collect/ earn 151-250 rupees and 7 children said they collect and earn 251-300 rupees daily. The different amounts depended upon their work and time period. Some children spent 4-5 hours daily, some spent 6-8 hours and some 9-10. The children spent more time on street collected the more money. Table.6. Daily Income Amount Boys Girls Total In Pakistani rupees Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) 50-150 8 40% 9 45% 17 42.5% 151-250 9 45% 7 35% 16 40% 251-350 3 15% 4 20% 7 17.5% 4.1.7. Drainage System/ Washrooms 29 Respondents said they have washrooms in their houses and 11 said they don‟t have. And the children, who had no washrooms at their homes, use public toilets or go to rivulets. Table.7. Washrooms/ Drainage System Responses Boys Girls Total Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) Yes 6 30% 5 25% 11 27.5% No 14 70% 15 75% 29 72.5% 4.1.8. Other Activities/ Source of Income Some Children also did other activities for money. 13 children said they sell newspaper, flowers, toys, balloons etc for collecting more money and 3 said they wash cars for more money, 6 children said they just go to schools or Madrasa and collect money from people but 18 respondents said they didn‟t do other activities for money but only begging. Table.8. Other Activities/ Sources of Income Responses Boys Girls Total Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 20) Count %age(out of 40) Selling flowers, balloons, toys, sweets 4 20% 9 45% 13 32.5% Washing cars 3 15% - 3 7.5% School/Madrasa 6 30% - 6 15% No other activities 7 35% 11 55% 18 45% International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 20 4.2. Discussion 4.2.1. Social Issues Social problem can be defined either in context of an existing situation or one‟s own perspective. It assistance can be explained further in two ways: First when society discriminates and second when individuals fail to comply with societal rules and regulations. But unfortunately Children on Street are deprived of these basic needs. 4.2.2. Economical Problems Food, shelter, protection and affection are essential needs of human being for survival. There are many factors which create economical problems. Unequal distribution of resources between the rich and poor is one of those factors. In Golra Shareef and Bari Imam, some individuals had enough resources to buy their luxuries and others did not have any resource even to meet their basic needs then what to talk about proper schooling, colleges and universities of higher education. Their mind set suggested that instead of wasting money and time on education it is better to let children go to street for learning and earning. That was the only way they could stand on their feet and could support their families as well. 4.2.3. Poverty, the Root Cause of Problem Nearly one third of Pakistan‟s population lives below poverty line and there are lots of reasons for this. Some of the more obvious include the lack of access to income generating opportunities; a weak economy is unable to generate productive employment or business opportunities to equal with the demands of the growing population. Parents remain unsettled whole of their life so their children who remain unsettled and in some poor condition as rightly said, "Kami ki oulad bhi kami paida hoti hay". The ultimate result is that the system abandons the poor, poor abandons their children, and the children abandons the system thus leaving enough reason to create disorder in the society. Children at the street were enough proof of prevalent weak socio-economic and political system. Curbing street children is not a solution to the problem rather overcoming poverty and establishing a just socio-economic system that provides equal opportunities to all for survival and progress is the only solution to these kinds of problems. 5. CONCLUSION & RECOMMONDATIONS 5.1. Conclusion: As stated earlier the children on the street are deprived and denied of their rights and childhood. This study focused on the street children phenomenon, reasons of coming on the streets, problems they face on the street and concluded that Children on Street emerge as a result of poverty, abuse, torture, orphaned, no bread winner in family and disability. Care, safe environment and warm family relations were lacking in children on streets. The objective of the study was to find out the various causes that compelled children to take to street life. It also examined diversified experience which street children received while spending time on the street. It is learned that there was visible reciprocation between cause and effect of street life phenomenon. Initial seven to twelve years are receptive and controlled age for children, which shape their personality according to the cultural norms of the society. In this age children accept direction as it is, with little or no arguments. Whereas thirteen and above is less receptive and less controlled age, which makes it difficult for personality to change to being either responsible or irresponsible especially when children are unsupervised and unprotected. In this age they accept the direction if it is with logic and reasoning. Child‟s personality can be shaped and reshaped according to the need of the social set up during receptive age. In contrast, it is difficult for parents and society to manage the personality of children in less receptive age rather it helps in spoiling them. The regulatory authorities and the state are unable to protect street children from the cruel Society and harsh working conditions. Poor parents who cannot afford to send their children to schools force them to earn money. They became more exposed to physical, mental and social hazards. They are mostly employed in the agriculture and manufacturing sector. Some children end up begging on the streets whereas some get trapped in the worst forms of slavery as a result of armed conflicts. The fundamental cause recognized by various International organizations of street children is poverty in Pakistan. Lack of basic educational opportunities and health services have further deteriorated the issue of Street Children. Poor parents cannot afford to send their children to schools and they fail to provide their children with their basic rights. As a result, poor households face their children to work in order to meet the finances of the family. Being the part of the workforce, they are more exposed to harsh physical and mental hazards. Children working under severe conditions are likely to lack ideal physical health and they become vulnerable from disease, poor nutrition, and reduced access to health care and worse environmental conditions. As explained earlier the experiences of childhood determine the character of an adult. Everything in social life can be modified except children if the society does not concentrate on them in time; they may be spoiled forever. They can develop positive attitude and move towards mainstream of life through proper guidance in receptive age. Curiosity level among children varies at different stages of life, one and same incidence has diverse impact on child‟s behaviour and response would be accordingly, in other words, "social realities lead to behavioural inequalities." Linking this research with laissez-faire theory of Adam Smith shows that there should be minimum government interference in the economic activity of individuals and the society. The West has been able to build a free market economy where every individual has equal access to products and services. An individual who is the part of rich/developed society is able to achieve his potential. The law and order situation and equal access to goods and International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 21 services has enabled to children to positively act in the society. The socially constructed norms of that society will positively affect the social development of the child. On the other hand, the developed countries are not capable enough to maintain the law and order situation. The free market economy rarely exists. People rather common individuals are unable to achieve their desired goals because of monopoly. Gaps between haves and haves-not have been increasing and the common man cannot participate in the economic activity. Poor parents cannot afford to send their children to schools due to financial constraints. Lack of schooling and health services has further deteriorated the issue. This laissez-faire is based on the assumption that an individual who is set free to pursue his own desires would achieve the best results for him and for the society he is part of. Children are forced to work under severe conditions and they are more exposed to physical and mental hazards. Since Pakistan was incepted, the issue of political turmoil has created chaos throughout the country. The issue of poverty, bad governance, growing terrorism and sectarianism has diverted the attention of the government from providing basic needs to its people. The present schools are unable to provide good education to the students. Lack of basic education and proper health services has created frustration in the youth that they are ready to do anything. Poor household while meeting the financial constraints force their children to work under severe conditions. 5.2. Recommendations  Fair distribution of national income and resources.  Government should create more opportunities of employment.  Education should be free for all and there should be some kind of refreshment and healthy activities at schools for children to attract them towards education.  There is no need of new law for children but implementation of current laws is needed.  Access to health should be equal to everyone and there should be special discounts for poor. REFERENCES: 1. The State of Pakistan‟s Children. (2006). Islamabad, Pakistan. 2007 SPARC. P-205. 2. Ennew j. (1994). Street and Working ChildrenA guide to planning. London: Save the Children 3. UNESCO. 1995. Working with Street Children: selected case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Paris: UNESCO p. 286 4. Le-Roux, J.S.C. (1998). Causes and Characteristics of street Child phenomenon: a global perspective. Adolescence 33 (131): 683-688 5. Report on phase I of the Street Children, Human Rights and Public Health: A Critique and Future Directions, Children, youth and Environment Volume-13, No. 1, Spring-2003 6. Pakistan Human Condition Report 2002, Centre for Research on Poverty Reduction and Income Distribution (CRPRID), P-1 Introduction 7. Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary; Encyclopaedic Edition 8. Ali, M. (2004). Street children in Pakistan: a situational analysis of social conditions and nutritional status. Social sciences and medicine , 1707-1717. 9. Corby, B. (1993). Child Abuse; Towards a knowledge base.(pg. 156-182). Open University Press, 2000. 10. Iqbal, M. W. (2010).Street children: an overlooked issue in Pakistan. lahore, Pakistan: Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 11. Study of children on Street, final report conducted for National Commission for Child Welfare and Development, Ministry of Women Development, December 1998, p.11, 14-16 12. James, A. and A. Prout (1990). Constructing and reconstructing Childhood. Basingstoke: Falmer Press. 13. Connolly. M and J. Ennew (1996). "Introduction: Children out of Places". Childhood 3(2): 131-146. 14. Baker, S., M. Lamont., S. Murray., W. Rous ham, and N. Simpson. (2000) "Senior Geography, An integrated Approachpreliminary course", NelsonThomas learning-, pg.220. 15. Agnelli, S. (1986). Street Children, A growing urban tragedy. Report for the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issue, P-37. Published by, George Weidenfield & Nicolson Ltd, London. 16. Spencer H. (1820-1903) socialization, -culture and identity17 . Hart, R.A. (1978). "Exploring the environment." Ekistics 278: 389-90. 18. Iman, B (1998). Street children in Egypt: from the home to the street to inappropriate corrective institutions, Environment and Urbanization, Vol. 10, no. 1. 19. Onyango, P., C. Suda and K. Orwa (1991). A report on the Nairobi Case Study on Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances. Nairobi: ANPPCAN (unpublished), p. 48. 20. Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations Children Funds, September 2, 1990 ratified by the necessary 20 states and adopted by UN General Assembly. P3~5, 26, 28~29 and 40. 21. Javier Perez de Cuellar, UN Secretary-General, in the General Assembly after adoption of the convention, 20 November 1989. 22. Javier Perez de Cuellar, UN Secretary-General, in message to international meeting on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Lignano, Italy, September 1987 Internet References: 23. Anwar. M. (2002). Street Freedom. http://www.almudo.com/PakistanStreetFreedom.html (originally published in Dawnthe Review 12 December 2002) 24. http://www.sparcpk.org/SOPC2013.html International Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research (IJAPR) ISSN: 2000-004X Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2018, Pages: 12-22 www.ijeais.org/ijapr 22 25. http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaperdaily-english-online/islamabad/12-Jul-2013/pakistantops-child-mortality-rate 26. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPAKISTAN/Res ources/PPAF1.pdf 27. http://www.sdpi.org/media/media_details1637-related2014.html ANNEXURE (QUESTIONNAIRE) 1. What are the reasons that you do begging? 2. How do you manage to purchase the basic amenities of life? 3. Have you a shelter to spend night or live on streets? 4. Is there proper supply of clean water in your living areas? 5. Do you have proper availability drainage system in your residential area? 6. How do you feel about begging? 7. Have you ever been harassed by people on the streets? 8. How far these acts of harassment are increasing? 9. Have you ever get any offer to move out anywhere? 10. Are you and your family‟s basic needs, fulfilled by begging? 11. Is begging the only option left out for income or you go for another activity side by side? 12. Do your parents force you for begging or you do by your own will? 13. How much you get money in a single day? 14. Do you give this money to your parents or you spend it by yourself? 15. What kind of techniques you use in begging? 16. Who teach you the different techniques for begging? 17. Do you work with a group or you do independently? 18. How much share you get daily from the money you collect in a group? 19. Do you have any option of getting education? 20. Are you interested to go to school? 21. What do you do in case of illness? 22. What is the behaviour of police towards you? 23. What is the behaviour of people towards you? 24. Will you quit begging if you are given the choice to work?