Contribution of Family Support in Addressing Children Streetism in Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma Cities

Abstract

Purpose: Tanzania has been implementing several initiatives to address the challenge of street children in the country. Despite such efforts, the child streetism has become the daily reality and has shown the sign of increasing. This dissertation is a study on the influence of poverty and family support on child streetism in urban Tanzania. Specifically, the paper focused on analysing the lived experiences of street children; describing the influence of the family support on children streetism.

Methodology: The paper adopted interpretivism research paradigm using descriptive cross-sectional design and inductive research approach. It involved a total of 38 informants who were purposively selected while the snowballing sampling technique was used in accessing street children. Semi-structured interview, documentary review and observation method were conducted.

Findings: Through thematic and content data analysis techniques, this study reveals that street children experienced difficulties in getting their basic needs and did not easily access health services when they fell sick. They also engaged into intra-violence among themselves. Further, child streetism has been largely influenced by lack of family support. Lack of family support included unwillingness of parents and guardians to carter for the needs of their children, single parenting and poor orphaned families with limited economic opportunities, abusive parenting and, absence of love and care to children i.e. child neglect. 

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: These negative consequences of inadequate family support were attributed by substance abuse and use by parents and guardians, family violence incidences including gender-based violence, death of one or all parents,  relatives' thirsty in confiscating family properties when the death of male parent occurs.