STRESSOR- THE PHILIPPINES (CHILDREN IN THE STREETS)

In a search to find a stressor(s) for children in another region/country I decided to pick a topic that affects children in multiple ways. Homelessness for any reason is a tragedy, where by force or choice. I just feel like, no child should ever have to make that choice. Even if a parent(s) is not available to take care of a child, there should be some kind of safe resource to help aid in the care of children. No child should be reduced to living in the street…

Studies in the Philippines have found that various characteristics of the child, the child’s

family, the local community and the society explain why some children are on the streets.

Causes related to the child or the family.

Poor, uneducated and large families.

Lack of knowledge and skills needed for parenting.

Lack of responsibility on the part of parents, family conflicts and parental behavioral

problems e.g. giving priority to material gains, substance use, gambling.

Physical abuse of the child.

Rebellious behavior and attitudes of the child.

Causes in the local community

Inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities in the community, e.g. lack of

adequate employment opportunities, problems in working conditions, lack of

recreational activities.

Congestion in slum areas, and inadequate/poor housing facilities.

Restrictive and inflexible educational system.

Poor law enforcement and exploitation by law enforcers.

Causes in the general society

Political and economic conditions, e.g. poverty and underdevelopment of resources.

World Health Organization (nd). Working With Street Children: A Profile of Street. Retrieved from http://www.unodc.org/pdf/youthnet/who_street_children_module1.PDF