Definitions of Homeless and Street Children: Differences and Juxtapositions

The paper traces the current discussion on the definition of homeless. It was found that the definitions are varied, dynamic, historical and have political connotations. The definitions are usually divided between extensive and restricted, or between housing and social orientation. It is argued that the definitions used in developed countries are extensive and do not fit the way it has been investigated this phenomenon in developing countries. It also discusses the differences in the way that children on the streets have been defined and its relation to the definition of homelessness. Finally, is proposed a graphic to represent the juxtapositions between the diverse definitions