Influence of Poverty on Streetism of Children 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 study focused on analysing the lived experiences of street children; describing the influence of income poverty on streetism of children. Methodology: The study 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 income poverty. Regarding coping strategies, street children engaged into begging, unsafe sex and petty income-generating activities such as car wash and bottle collection. They also used self-medication to treat themselves when they fell sick or being left at the hospital buildings or on the street by their fellow street children when the condition got worse. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Additionally, they did not have any coping strategy to enroll themselves into the school. The study also revealed that vulnerability and rational choice perspectives must be used in exploring the lived experienced of street children instead of using the vulnerability perspective alone. The rational choice perspective explains, among others, why street children sustain street life hardships and difficulties instead of going back to their families.