The South African Street Child: Developmental Implications

Abstract

Given the nature and the extent of the problem, the psychological and developmental implications of the street child phenomenon in South Africa needs to be more closely examined. Current research on street children presents us with a paradox — with evidence of developmental risk and vulnerability on the one hand and of resourcefulness, adaptability and coping on the other. This paradoxical evidence is reviewed from the perspective of physical, emotional, social and cognitive/educational development. Implications for intervention are explored. In particular, the issue of what defines developmental vulnerability or resilience in more specific terms is identified as a research necessity if more focused intervention priorities are to be determined.