GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.

1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

THE PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS OF THE STREET CHILDREN

Fiaqa Hafeez
The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Aims. The researcher aims to examine the psychosocial problems of street children such
as, family patterns, street life collaboration, adverse effects of poor/weak home management,
influence of environment, critical role of social values, genetic effects and cultural aspects in
Lahore, Pakistan. Method. The interview guide emerged, consists of the 36 questions, which
was based on the semi-structured interviews of the street children. This guide was then
conducted on the 10 selected students, to collect qualitative research data. To assess the
emotional quotient of the street children, Bar on Emotional Quotient (EQ) Inventory Youth
Version was used in this study. Result. Findings revealed children with low EQ have low level
of resistance and adaptability level. Qualitative results found some major themes on the basis of
qualitative analysis, such as; On street child, social life cycle of human, nonstandard behavior,
rebelliousness, destruction, family structure, family change, socialization, thought and emotive
developments and Withdrawals. Conclusion. Moreover, results concluded that these factors
lead children to become street children. In addition, findings showed that the children face
demoralizing surroundings at home and streets, which leads them towards destruction,
rebelliousness and deleterious personality.

Keywords: Psychosocial Problems, Street Children, Qualitative Study, Pakistan

.
1. Introduction
The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychosocial problems of street children
such as, family patterns, street life collaboration, adverse effects of poor/weak home management,
influence of environment, critical role of social values, genetic effects and cultural aspects in
Lahore, Pakistan. It’s a very stimulating area at today’s Pakistani community. The researcher
wants to articulate about a responsibility which only few Pakistanis would not find escape from.
Nevertheless, it is likewise true and agreeable that the future of Pakistani children, and the future
of this country, is being visible daily in its different hot spots such as the shopping centers, at its
street traffic signals and different railway stations, some shrines, and at various tuck shops.
Though, despite the coverage that this issue receives through media, but still somewhere between
1.3 and 1.6 elevation children are suspected to be on the streets of Pakistan’s major cities. These
children, whom regularly have been on the edge of turmoil, having no contact with their families,
form one of the most disharmoniously spread sections of society and are neglected of serious rights
such as right to use to housing, schooling and mental/healthcare.
In addition, it’s been observed widely that the basic rights of street children are not already
being shattered; they are vastly uncovered to the risk of being pinched and involved into offensive
situations including schedules of the child doing labor, physical manipulation, drug abuse and
helplessness to sexual manipulation, transferring and disorganized arrest and detention (Collins et
al., 2009). These street children repeatedly several times involve in petty crime are unsurprising;
many of these children are also opted into more systemized and regularized procedures of criminal
activity which may be including membership into criminal and radical gangs.
Thus, the researcher wants that action be taken in a numerous ways; such as promoting at
large scale, the human rights of all children, including those on the street; collective finances/jobs
for the social segment, mainly educating and putting all essential efforts to take back street
children to school keep on trying\monitoring throughout the specific stages for their families and
the children themselves; assuring that health services are within the reach to these children on the
street who are in horrible state of basic needs through Govt social funding.
Precisely a percentage of 71 of the inmates, are attending basic primary school education in
the Pakistan. This indicates that roughly 23 billion inmates stand rundown and away from

46
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

education facilities. The deficiency of education creates the hindrances and hurdles; without
education, none is able to find work and must have appropriate salary. The 46% of the Pakistan,
residents’ \citizens are older than 21, and at a hazard level. Low economic class, poverty, physical
and mental abuse, ignorance, depression, anxiety, inattention, and household hitches are the
primary aspects that provoke children to adopt street life, which could be even more dangerous in
return. Nevertheless, once they are out on the roads, on their individual basis, they find very little
support, protection, empathy, safety, shelter and encounter hazards; threats then obtain excesses,
groups of street people that are sometimes lethal too.

Significance of Study
Problem resolving is the primarily the key role of the researches. Street children’s issues are
felt nonstop by people in that research and may be giving hands in submission of the solutions to
such tangled issues, finding beneficial for them at large. Researcher wants that the psychosocial
aspects to be evaluated at a larger scale and point out important steps needed to modify the same to
achieve certain broad goals, which may bring light in the hopeless life of the street children. Our all
the social problems could be paying some certain social behaviors. Thus, by adapting the
appropriate behaviors in same in the right directions, the street children’s issues may be addressed
positively.
Researcher also wants to move progressively in the awareness to follow the established
policy to deal with social matters is one of the supports of this research. Low socio-economic
factors, illiteracy, disturb family relations, child labor, drug addiction, etc. are concerns related to
the street children’s and to deal with these matters suitable procedure is requirement of the time.
This research is also offering the same. The community researches pay to societal development
modes. This research also develops scientific temper. By the help of the encouragement and novelty
there may be established as a basic and applied fresh knowledge which may be go on the advance
levels. All of these may add up progression of humanity. Information has a significant key role and
that major key is driven and powerfully brought out by this research.
This research also acts as a tool for social sector planning, tentative estimates and to resume
control over the issue. Each and every productive action needs to be planned by the stake holders so
that their outcome may be forecasted and the differences between actual to the desirable outcome
predicted needs to be measured. This research may pave the way for the social welfare extents.
Psychosocial research is mostly a way of emphasizing what is upright for the society. By the
statement of what is and what is not good for the low-cost running business, for the trades’ skills,
for the students of institutes, for the stock marketplaces and many other areas thus the social
research helps to contribute to the society.

2. Method
2.1 Research Design
Qualitative research design used in present study. This design helps the researcher to explore the
different factors who are helping to complete the research purpose. The aim of the present study
was to examine the psychosocial problems of street children such as, family patterns, street life
collaboration, adverse effects of poor/weak home management, influence of environment, critical
role of social values, genetic effects and cultural aspects in Lahore, Pakistan. Therefore, the
research design of the current research was qualitative research design.
2.2 Sample
The target population of the research included street children in Lahore, Pakistan.
2.3 Sample Size and Sampling Strategy
Purposive sampling technique was utilized to recruit sample. The sample of current research was 30
street children. This was done by researcher on the basis of G-Power analysis.
2.4 Assessment Measures
Research instruments utilized in the current study are:

47
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

2.4.1 Demographic Questionnaire.

Demographic sheet was established by the investigator to gather demographic data about the
members. The detail comprised material about, age, gender, family system, and financial wealth of
family, residence, socioeconomic status and family background etc.
2.4.2 The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory
Youth Version (Bar-On EQ-i: YV) measures emotional intelligence, including the ability to
understand feelings, empathize with others, and adapt to new and changing environments and
contexts. This is the short form of this assessment. This scale has 40 items and used 4-point Likert
scale. Cronbach’s alpha reliability of BEQI was (α=.92).
2.4.3 Semi-Structure Interview
A semi-structured interview is a data collection method that relies on asking questions within a
predetermined thematic framework. The present study used semi-structured interview guide with
thirty-six questions with street children to collect data.

3. Results
IPA is an approach (Smith, 2004), which require full absorption of the researcher to interpret
objectively the data. After selecting the interviews, the street children were given freedom to
express their views as a group. Then they were interviews separately, which was actually needed.
Then researcher started writing these adapted experiences of the street children. The next step was
to taken to write themes which are coming steadily, as part of the in the initial notes. Ten
superordinate themes developed from interpretative phenomenological analysis are presented along
with the subthemes. The aim of the researcher is to sort clear about the psychosocial aspects of the
street children.
Superordinate theme 1-Psychological Issues
Superordinate theme 2 -Social factors
Superordinate theme 3-Role of family
Superordinate theme 4–Economic conditions
Superordinate theme 5-Abuse

Table 3.1
Superordinate theme 1- Psychological Issues
Major themes Sub themes
Self-perception and self-esteem street Parental up bringing styles, authoritative
children parenting.
Abuse and neglect Rejection
Attitude, forcefulness and vulnerability Lack of acceptance by family
Need of approval, affection and care Restlessness
Helplessness and negative thoughts Dominant attitude of siblings, parents or
extended family
Blaming and labelling Verbal abuse

Table 3.2
Superordinate theme 2 - Social factors
Major Themes Sub themes
Migration and isolation Dislocation of the family
Freedom and conducive environment Home circumstances
Willingness to run away from home
Low middle class Anxious child

48
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

Table 3.3
Superordinate theme 3- Role of family
Major Themes Sub themes
Quality time Ignorance of habits developed
Non availability of hygiene products Confused behavior of the child
Death of mother Irresponsible behavior
Priority to elder sibling on younger Ignored, rejection feelings
child

Table 3.4
Superordinate theme 4- Economic Conditions
Major Themes Sub themes
Fathers’ illness Threatening environment
Elder brothers’ addiction Frequent losses and doubts for child
Indebt Budgeting issues, burden on child to
borrow money or work
Frequent Hospitalization Expenditure
Bills costs and fears
The subjective experiences of domestic Financial crisis
work

Table 3.5
Superordinate theme 5- Abuse
Major Themes Sub themes
Physical Abuse Hurt
Emotional Child
Sexual Harassment Insecurity
Fear
Neglect of Mother Helplessness
Domestic Work Emotional
Physical Abuse
Harassment

4. Discussion
The present study revealed important themes through IPA analysis such as, child rearing style,
parental relations, its impact, parental dealing with children, neglect to their basic needs, wishes,
right of freedom, forced labor or involving in begging, harsh behavior of elder sibling or from any
member of the extended family and relatives etc. These are also contributing factors for a child to
leave home, stay on street and finding their own place. Thinking patterns are very important but
they are being neglected by their parents. When individual differences are ignored and typical
submissive behavior is demanded from the child, it forces child to be a rebel. Then these rebels
don’t find any place at home, feelings of isolation, hatred, rejection, hurts them. Impulsivity
generates rebels, which is not acceptable in our society so far. Previous literature also supported
the findings of present study.
As per research study of Idrees and Manzoor (2012) focused a study in Gujranwala to assess
the family and cultural factors that touch street children. They took 10 to 18 years old street
children, whom spent some time on streets. The research concluded that low socioeconomic status,
educational background, child labor issues, marital relations and family disputes plays vital role.
These findings related with the current research as individual differences, role of family,
migrations, extended family role, financial issues, forced labor and self-esteem issues are the high
49
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

lights of current results. The research findings of Ranal and Chaudhary (2012) which indicates that
domestic conflicts produce social inequalities also relates to the current finding of this research,
which indicates the important role of family in social recognition.
In addition, Iqbal (2018) research study primarily focused on personality issues, role of
emotions, role of peers and street life of children. That result relates with the current research as
individual factors, role of the immediate group, submissive attitude, personality traits are the
highlights. Another study was conducted by Rizwan and Najam (2014) examines phenomena
of psychological exploitation by parents in childhood and its after effects on mental health, relates
very closely with the current research results, as parental neglect and its consequences are obvious.
Their normal growth patterns also effect badly, effecting their personality and physical growth.
This sad aspect come across by the street children, which separates them from the majority public,
while at the same time labeling them as social tribulations.

Conclusion
This study concluded from the research that the parents neglect individual differences,
creativity, ambitiousness, resilience and freedom of expression. That is the contributing factor that
for their recognition, self-esteem, wishful filament, show of power, autonomy leads them to select
their own paths and move accordingly. Their own wishes are not accepted by their parents and it’s
a painful state for them. Although they are emotionally low but still their passions need to be
managed and understood in a better parenting style. Parents of low socioeconomic status usually
like traditional family set ups, in which the children are supposed to be submissive and act
without questioning. Thus, out of four or five siblings, one different child from each family feels
chocked, fed up from their home environment and decide to run away. Resultantly, the street life
seems a dream place of freedom for them. No knowing the difficulties, traumas, and tragedies
along with threat which might happen on streets to them.
We can make a move in a large number of routes: upholding for the privileges of all
youngsters, including those in the city; expanding spending plans for the social part, basically
instruction and putting every single fundamental push to convey road kids to class bolster through
particular projects for their families and the kids themselves; guaranteeing that wellbeing
administrations are available to these kids in the city who are in desperate need of social help;
embracing a tyke and giving it an adoring home, on an individual level. By deliberately
endeavoring to disregard our aloof trance when we see these countenances in the form of street
children in the city, we can have any kind of empathetic effect.

Acknowledgement
Working on my MS Thesis has been both a wonderful and overwhelming experience. I am grateful
to so many good people for ensuring the time I have spent working on this project has been an
unforgettable experience. First of all, I would like to thank my family for the exceptional support,
care and encouragement they have given me during these past months. Without their guidance and
constant feedback, this project would not have been achievable. I gratefully acknowledge the
support I received from the University in Pakistan that has ensured the completion of this project. I
am thankful to the Participants who by agreeing to participate in this research and made this project
possible.

50
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

References
1. Allison, Paul D., Frank F., & Furstenberg, Jr. (1989). How marital dissolution affects
children: Variations by age and sex” Developmental Psychology, 25(4):540- 549.
2. Amato, Paul R. (1993). Children’s adjustment to divorce: Theories, hypotheses, and
empirical support. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 55:23-38.
3. Amato, Paul R. (1987). Family processes in one-parent, stepparent, and intact families:
The child’s point of view. ā, 49(2):327-337.
4. Ali, M., & De, Muynck. (2003). A: Illness incidence and health seeking behavior among
street children in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan–a qualitative study. Child Care
Health Dev. 2005, 31 (Suppl 5): 525-532.
5. Amato, Paul R., & Danelle, D. (2001). The transmission of marital instability across
generations: Relationship skills or commitment to marriage?. Journal of Marriage and
Family, 63:1038-1051.
6. Amato, R., & Bruce, Keith. (1991). Parental divorce and adult well-being: A meta- analysis.
Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53(1):43-58.
7. Amato, R., Laura, Spencer., & Alan, Booth. (1995). Parental divorce, marital conflict, and
offspring well-being during early adulthood. Social Forces, 73(3):895- 915.
8. Aquilino, William S. (1994). Impact of childhood family disruption on young adults’
relationships with parents. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56(2):295- 313.
9. Andrew, W. (2012). At the margins, Street children in Asia and Pacific region, Asian
Development Bank, Working paper (Draft), 2003:31.
10. Baker, J. (2008). Urban poverty: A global view. Washington, DC: The World Bank
11. Bapat, M., & Agarwal, I. (2003). Our needs, our priorities, women and men from the slums
in Mumbai and pune talk about their needs for water and sanitation. Environment and
Urbanization, 15 (2):71-86.
12. Burns, M. (2007). Slum settlements provide advantageous living conditions for low-income
urban families: A case study from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Unpublished Master
dissertation, University of Birmingham.
13. Baydar., N. (1988). Effects of parental separation and reentry into union on the emotional
well-being of children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50(4):967-981.
14. Biblarz, Timothy J., & Greg, G. (2000) “Family structure and children’s success: A
comparison of widowed and divorced single-mother families” Journal of Marriage and the
Family, 62(2):533-548.
15. Block, J., Jeanne, B., & Per, G. (1988). Parental functioning and the home environment
in families of divorce: Prospective and concurrent analyses” Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(2):207-213.
16. Block, Jeanne H., Jack B., & Per, G. (1986). The personality of children prior to divorce: A
prospective study. Child Development, 57:827-840.
17. Blum, Heather Monroe, Michael H. Boyle and David R. Offord (1988). Single-parent
families: Child psychiatric disorders and school performance. Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 27(2):214-219.
18. Booth, A., & Paul, A. (2001). Parental predivorce relations and offspring Post-divorce well-
being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63:197-212.
19. Bream, V., & Ann B. (2003). Distress among children whose separated or divorced parents
cannot agree arrangements for them. British Journal of Social Work, 33:227-238.
20. Collins, D., & Morduch, J., & Ruthven, O. (2009). Portfolios of the poor: How the world’s
poor live on $2 a day. New Jersey: Princeton University.
21. Ibrahim, A., & Amis, P. (2012). Characteristics of Street Children. University Of
Birmingham.
22. Fergusson, DM,, Lynaskey, MT., & Horwood, LJ. (1996). Factors associated with
continuity and change in disruptive behavior patterns between childhood and adolescence.
51
 GESJ: Education Science and Psychology 2023 | No.1(66)
ISSN 1512-1801

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1996; 24(5): 533-553.

23. International Catholic Children Bureau. (1985). Forum on Street Children and youth”,
Grand Bassani, Ivory Coast, 1985:58.
24. Lewis. L. (2002). Also God’s children: Encounters with street kids”, Cape Town, 2002:17.
7.
25. Rana, HR., & Choudry, HR. (2011). Street children: A great loss to human resource
development in Pakistan. PJSS. 2011, 31 (Suppl 1): 15-27. 11. Iqbal MW: Street children:
An overlooked issue in Pakistan. Child Abuse Review, 2008, 17: 201–209.
26. Rabia, F. (2004). A study on street children’s life style and causes of leaving their home,
(unpublished M.A thesis) Social work department, University of Karachi, Karachi.2004. 23.
27. SPARC. (2006). The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006, Islamabad, 2007:204. 24.
SPARC. “The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006”, Islamabad, 2007:205.
28. Smith, J.A. (2004). Reflecting on the development of interpretative phenomenological
analysis and its contribution to qualitative psychology. Qualitative Research in
Psychology, 1, 39–54.
29. UNICEF. (2002). Poverty and exclusion among urban children. Florence: UNICEF
Innocent Research Center.

_______________________
Article received 2023-03-05

52
Copyright of Education Sciences & Psychology is the property of Internet Academy,
Registered Union and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a
listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print,
download, or email articles for individual use.