The attitudes of source communities towards former street children

M.A.The aim of organizations working with street children is to reunite the children with their families and communities. Previous research pertaining to street children has focused on the causes and extent of the street child phenomenon, life on the streets, programmes for street children, and host communities (localities where children sleep on the streets). The focus of this study is on source communities (neighbourhoods where the children’s families are located). The attitudes of source communities towards children who are returning to their families is indicative of the level of support these children are likely to experience within the community. The aim of this study has been to explore the attitudes of role-players within a source community towards former street children. The role-player groups identified for the study were educators, neighbours, youth groups, church groups, peers and spaza shop owners. These role-players were perceived as the ones that the children were likely to interact with directly. Focus group discussions were held with educators, neighbours, youth group representatives, church group representatives and peers. Individual interviews were held with spaza shop owners for logistical reasons. For the purpose of this study the concept “attitudes” was understood as having both cognitive and affective components. The study took place in Refilwe, a satellite of Cullinan. The conclusions drawn from this study were as follows: 1. Attitudes towards former street children seem to be based on participants’ perceptions of children living on the streets. 2. Lack of accurate information about street children contributed to the rejection and labelling of the children. 3. There was a widespread assumption that street children inevitably become involved in crime. 4. Fears were expressed that children returning from the street would influence other children in the community negatively. 5. There was ambivalence about whether or not the child could be trusted once he returned home. 6. Participants believed that it was important for the child to return home. 7. Several role-players were identified as being responsible for the child’s well-being and his reintegration into the community. 8. The return of former street children was perceived as an additional burden on an already under-resourced community. 9. Participants perceived a need for programmes to prepare the child, the family and the community. The following recommendations were made: 1. A survey of the attitudes of other source communities would be useful in identifying common themes. 2. Organizations working with street children need to organize awareness campaigns in order to educate source communities about street children. 3. It is important to involve the community in the preparation for the children’s return home 4. Community development programmes are needed in Refilwe. Employment opportunities and additional resources would increase the community’s capacity to care for vulnerable groups. 5. A full-time social service office needs to be established in Refilwe. The focus group discussions unleashed the raising of a range of social issues. The seriousness of these issues warranted the inclusion of a chapter on additional findings.Ms. H.F. Elli