The street children of Recife: a study of their background

A classification of street children as those 'on' the street and 'of' the street is offered. In a study of children 'on' the street, economic need of the family was the main cause (82 per cent). The children were 14 times more likely to come from families who have recently moved into a neighbourhood; 3 and 3.7 times, respectively, to come from households headed by the mother or her male companion; nine times more likely to be living in homes without running water, and four times more likely to be without toilet facilities. The family income was a third less than average. Some families had sent their children out to work as early as the age of 5 years. Ninety-four per cent of the children were contributing between half to all of their earning to the home, although this was less so with older children. Exploitation at work was common. More than three-quarters earned less than the minimum wage, and half of them earned less than half the minimum wage. More than a third were not attending school and, among them, 87 per cent had left school after going 'on' the street. Those attending school were a grade or two behind that expected for their age. After working on the street for several years (mode = 4 years; longest = 12 years) most could see themselves as continuing to work in the informal sector. They ways in which MCH services can respond to the needs of street children are discussed.