Street children in Mafikeng, North-West Province: a qualitative study of social experiences

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Street children in Mafikeng, North-West Province: a qualitative study of social experiences
Authors:	Idemudia, E.S. Kgokong, K. Kolobe, P.
Year:	2013
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	28
Issue:	1
Pages:	161-185
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	street children attitudes
Abstract:	The general perception in South African society is that street children are a major social menace. Yet the reality is that street children are a vulnerable group that suffer both psychological and physical violence, including sexual abuse. This qualitative study investigated the social experiences of street children in Mafikeng, North-West Province in South Africa. Data were collected using focus group discussions with 20 participants aged 10-19 years. The results of the study revealed three major themes, namely, reasons for abandoning home, life in the streets, and the desire to go back home, and three sub-themes - risks and challenges encountered, regrets, and the desire for rehabilitation and schooling. Recommendations included the need for psychological interventions among this group, the need for further research, and the need to use probability sampling techniques in future studies, as this might provide a more comprehensive picture of the situation. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]