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Presentation nferguson

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Nathalee Ferguson
Nathalee Ferguson

There are approximately 6,448 street children in Jamaica, with a 70:30 ratio of boys to girls. Street life is primarily a part-time engagement for many children. According to surveys from 2002, there were over 2700 children engaged in economic activity in the capital region, and over 8000 in rural areas over a 12 month period. Experiences of street children often include exploitation, hunger, lack of education, abuse, and death. Causes of street children include poverty, poor parenting, community violence, broken homes, and behavioral problems. Proposed solutions include increased support for parenting programs, counseling, foster care initiatives, public education, and addressing the lack of facilities for homeless youth.

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Presentation nferguson
Presentation nferguson
There are approximately 6, 448 street children in Jamaica The typical street child (and any other category of working children) is a thirteen year old boy from a female-headed household of five, where his guardian is marginally employed- as a vendor, domestic helper, self employed or unskilled worker. Ratio of boys to girls 70:30 Street life is primarily a part time engagement National Survey on Street and Working Children, pg. 6
According to the Jamaica Youth Activity Survey (2002): Children aged 5-17 years involved in economic activity in the reference week of the study KMA- 2717 Other Towns- 4973 Rural areas- 8551 Over a 12 month period KMA- 4501
Crawford-Brown argued that the phenomenon persists because of the definitional confusion and the ... absence of sound, credible data concerning the social status of our children. UNICEF 1990 defined street children by categorizing them: Children ON the street- those who worked on the street but lived at home Children OF the street- those who lived and worked on the street
Equal rights for ALL children Special care and assistance where needed ARTICLES 19 AND 32 directly address this group of children 19- all forms of violence including neglect and negligent treatment 32- economic exploitation or work that interferes with the childs development SEE: Juveniles Act of Jamaica
Qualitative study conducted between June and August 2010. Elite Interviews Focus Group Discussions Face to face interviews with the public Case Studies
CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM Poverty; illiteracy Poor Parenting, poor socialization, parents encourage them, parents wrong priorities young parents Abuse Community violence HIV/AIDS Broken homes, migrating parents, children forced into adult responsibilities Children with behavioural problems
EXPERIENCES This study revealed that street children experience the following: *Exploitation *Hunger *Lack of education *Abuse, Death *Loyalty, friendships *Partying , money The National Survey on Street and Working Children spoke of extreme cases in which children displayed lacerations, heart wrenching wounds and other unfortunate realities.
Government Response Studies have been done in the past and proposals have been made but the issue is still one of much concern. Major issues: ownership of the problem, resources/ finances The passing of the Child Care and Protection Act (2004) and the appointment of a Childrens Advocate are among the actual responses of the Jamaican Government. In 2004, 8.8% of the total budget was directed towards education and of that amount, 73% went towards payment of salaries. Similarly, 80% of the amount allocated to health went to payment of salaries. Witter 2007
The wants of street children Opportunities to change their situation. Programmes like LEAP, Children First and Possibility Programme were praised. Freedom/ Independence- [because of this some children give investigators false information]. Love ; they do not want special attention however as if they have a disease
A more in-depth study Involvement of parents [putting teeth to law, parenting workshops] Strengthening of the NPTAJ to foster ownership of the problem Counselling and mentorship to help remove the emotional scars New facilities to cater to those who are homeless. At present, space is a major constraint. Public Education and sensitization Promoting foster care as a viable option

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Presentation nferguson

  • 3. There are approximately 6, 448 street children in Jamaica The typical street child (and any other category of working children) is a thirteen year old boy from a female-headed household of five, where his guardian is marginally employed- as a vendor, domestic helper, self employed or unskilled worker. Ratio of boys to girls 70:30 Street life is primarily a part time engagement National Survey on Street and Working Children, pg. 6
  • 4. According to the Jamaica Youth Activity Survey (2002): Children aged 5-17 years involved in economic activity in the reference week of the study KMA- 2717 Other Towns- 4973 Rural areas- 8551 Over a 12 month period KMA- 4501
  • 5. Crawford-Brown argued that the phenomenon persists because of the definitional confusion and the ... absence of sound, credible data concerning the social status of our children. UNICEF 1990 defined street children by categorizing them: Children ON the street- those who worked on the street but lived at home Children OF the street- those who lived and worked on the street
  • 6. Equal rights for ALL children Special care and assistance where needed ARTICLES 19 AND 32 directly address this group of children 19- all forms of violence including neglect and negligent treatment 32- economic exploitation or work that interferes with the childs development SEE: Juveniles Act of Jamaica
  • 7. Qualitative study conducted between June and August 2010. Elite Interviews Focus Group Discussions Face to face interviews with the public Case Studies
  • 8. CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM Poverty; illiteracy Poor Parenting, poor socialization, parents encourage them, parents wrong priorities young parents Abuse Community violence HIV/AIDS Broken homes, migrating parents, children forced into adult responsibilities Children with behavioural problems
  • 9. EXPERIENCES This study revealed that street children experience the following: *Exploitation *Hunger *Lack of education *Abuse, Death *Loyalty, friendships *Partying , money The National Survey on Street and Working Children spoke of extreme cases in which children displayed lacerations, heart wrenching wounds and other unfortunate realities.
  • 10. Government Response Studies have been done in the past and proposals have been made but the issue is still one of much concern. Major issues: ownership of the problem, resources/ finances The passing of the Child Care and Protection Act (2004) and the appointment of a Childrens Advocate are among the actual responses of the Jamaican Government. In 2004, 8.8% of the total budget was directed towards education and of that amount, 73% went towards payment of salaries. Similarly, 80% of the amount allocated to health went to payment of salaries. Witter 2007
  • 11. The wants of street children Opportunities to change their situation. Programmes like LEAP, Children First and Possibility Programme were praised. Freedom/ Independence- [because of this some children give investigators false information]. Love ; they do not want special attention however as if they have a disease
  • 12. A more in-depth study Involvement of parents [putting teeth to law, parenting workshops] Strengthening of the NPTAJ to foster ownership of the problem Counselling and mentorship to help remove the emotional scars New facilities to cater to those who are homeless. At present, space is a major constraint. Public Education and sensitization Promoting foster care as a viable option