The main reasons for teenagers to leave their homes to live on the street
Studies have identified various reasons that force teenagers to leave their homes and start a new live in the streets. A good number of teenagers leave their home to liberate themselves from their parents. In the situation where parents are strict, teenagers are compelled to seek for their independent in other places including streets. There are also teenagers who run away from their home to avoid unnecessary conflict with their parents. Conflict between children and parents mostly occurs when there are restrictive regulations and rules in the family settings. Peer influence is also a critical factor that results to an increased number of teenagers and children in the street. In some cases, friends and family members influence innocent teenagers to run away from their homes and seek for new lives in the streets.
Furthermore, poor living condition is among the key factors that have led to the increased number of teenagers in the streets. For example, abject poverty in the family setting plays a noticeable role in encouraging modern teenagers to run away from their homes. On the other hand, consistent conflict in family institutions compels teenagers to abandon their family members in preference of live in the (McDaniel, & Tepperman, 2011, p. 21). Lastly, societal and cultural environment are critical in influencing teenagers to live in the street.
How living on the street affect the ability of a child to complete his or her education
McCarthy (1998, p. 67) observes that living in the street increases the level of school absenteeism. This is owes to the fact that, in the street, there are no guardians or parents to monitor the children. Moreover, the street conditions such as alarming cases of immoral behaviours discourage students from engaging in school activities. Lack of control from parents and increased level of independent also discourages street children from participating in the stressful class activities (Covell, & Howe, 1994, p. 17). Furthermore, street independent is a key factor that results to increased cases of school dropouts. By engaging in activities that are not beneficial to their study and learning, street teenagers tend to have interrupted concentration (Covell& Howe, 2007, p. 7). Limited basic amenities in the street that result to unfavourable living condition also discourage street children from participating fully in school activities. Consequently, a good number of street teenagers drop out of the school and engage in other activities that fit their interests.
The six ways that living on the street might adversely affect the health of street kids
Teenagers who live in the street lack enough and nutritious food to eat thus most of them suffer from various forms of food malfunctions. Lack of shelters and other essential amenities also increases street children chances of getting ill. Poor nutrition in the street is also accelerated by lack of proper diets among street children. Moreover, most street teenagers and children indulge in substance and drug abuse. Substance abuse increase street children chances of suffering from various health complications including mental and psychological disorders. Limited clear water and others bathing requires are also some of the key aspects that increase chances of health complications among street families (Webber, 1991, p. 126). Despite exposing them to minor health conditions, poor hygiene in the street also exposes street children in other severe ailments and diseases. Lack of the required resting amenities and facilities also complicates the health conditions of the street children. Therefore, compared to the living conditions in homesteads, street lives have detrimental impacts on teenagers and street children.
My strategies for improving the health of street kids as provincial Minister of Health
Provincial minister for health has a critical role to play in supporting the improvement of street children’s health. Opening of rehabilitation centre could be a central step towards improving the health conditions of street children. Rehabilitation centres will not only help in the improvement of street children health but is also essential in offering counselling and guidance services to street children (Webber, 1991, p. 91). In the rehabilitation centres, street children can learn the importance of going back to their families and homes. To support the street children financially, I will institute various policies that will foster the establishment of rehabilitation centres and businesses that could generate funds for supporting vulnerable street children. With the revenues obtained from these ventures, I will be in a position of supporting the street children. Besides, this strategy will create part time job opportunities for these kids providing them with an avenue of earning a living.
As a provincial minister for health, I would also introduce a policy that will take care of the interests of street children. The policy will aim at discouraging and checking the number of street children in the country. Moreover, an initiative that will encourage society to accept and support street children will also be essential in improving the living condition of street children. A part from offering some of the basic requirements to street children, community members can also help in encouraging street children to go back to their families.
References
Covell, K. & Howe, R. B. (1994). The Challenge of Children’s Rights for Canada.Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University.
Covell, K.& Howe, R. B. (2007). A Question of Commitment: Children’s Rights in Canada.Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University.
McCarthy, B. (1998). Mean Streets: Youth Crime and Homelessness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McDaniel, S., & Tepperman, L. (2011). Close relations: an introduction to the sociology Families. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Canada Inc
Webber, M. (1991). Street kids: The tragedy of Canada's runaways. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
