Focus Activity: Can Systems Theory Properly Explain the Phenomenon of Street Children?

Focus Activity: Can systems theory properly explain the phenomenon of street children? Discuss

The Good book says children are a blessing to parents. Undoubtedly, children are our heritage and they are seen as the future leaders of our families, communities and nations. Today, both developed and developing countries are facing the problem posed by street children The term street children was aptly coined sometime in the eighties to identify children who have chosen to spend most of their time on the streets or away from home. (United Nation, 1990)

Complex environmental factors can varying effects of the life of children hence result in what is commonly known as street children. The interaction between these factors in the child's life such as biological, his immediate family, community environment and the social land scape can affect the child. If these systems do not work instinct then the result is usually devastating on the child. Changes or conflict in any of these layers will have rippling effects throughout other layers. (Thomas, 2007).

On a community level, factors such as politics, economy, housing, education, health and welfare services, unemployment and rapid urbanization can affect children hence resulting in them taking to the streets. For example if the education system fails to cater to the diverse learning needs and abilities of children, then they will feel frustrated and become delinquent and take to the streets instead of going to school. The breakdown in family relationships to include single parenting, divorce, child abuse or neglect as well as the lack of parental discipline may have devastating effects on many children. For the individual children themselves, an escape from an intolerable situation, hunger, abuse, failure at school, unwanted feeling may cause them to take to the streets to find that internal longing. (Pringle, 1974)

Taking all these interrelated systems in to account in dealing with street children various things can be considered. Such would include making improvements in the various environmental systems that directly affects the child or children. Most importantly, the family structure of these children must be strengthened so as to create a safe and nurturing environment, one that will improve the quality of life of these individuals. (Pringle,1974). Additionally, these street children must be provided with an opportunity re-integrated into

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