A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE LABEL “STREET CHILDREN”: CHALLENGES FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS

Abstract

The article offers a conceptual analysis of the concept of “street children”. The literature review was inspired by the research findings of 37 student social workers at an open distance university in 2011 who conducted research among “street children” and found that these children are vehemently opposed to being referred to in this way. The implications for social work practice are therefore that, unless professionals, key stakeholders and affected children engage in conversations on this matter, initiatives for effective and sustainable transformative intervention for affected children will remain a pipe dream.