The Jakarta’s Street Children (679 words)

Jakarta is the capitol city of Indonesia. Many people from the rural area
try their luck to move and gain living in Jakarta. Nonetheless, a small
number of them whom meet their fortune and the unlucky ones transform
in to the escalating marginalized group of individuals in quest of a
continuation living as they can on the streets. Apparently, the parent’s
income as “ramble” worker cannot sustain the family living. As a result,
children require contributing to their family’s needs. Without actual skills
and education, the children become knowledge, identity and culture
reproducer, wander the streets begging or doing any odd job to get
money just like their parents. Moreover, after the monetary crisis in 1997
in Indonesia, the number of children on the streets has increased.
The term “anak jalanan” (street children) was once a taboo word in
Indonesia –considered “subversive”, or anti-development in 1980s but is
now accepted. All children who live outside their homes and do economic
activities in the street are now called street children. With this definition,
children forced into prostitution and working children can also be called
street children. Often extremely mobile, street children can alternate
between living on the streets and living with their families. Children who
work on the street may become involved in scavenging, begging,
hawking, prostitution or theft to aid their basic survival. These images
of street children then drift me to address in depth investigation
on the construction of childhood in street children context.
Street Children as Labour Market Supply Factor
Due to their low rate of wage some dumping centres taking advantages of
the streets children, congregate them at the rubbish dump, scavenging
for scraps. Most have dropped out of school to work in construction site or
as pedicab drivers. Some may only work on the streets during particular
periods of the year, and attend school at other times. This makes it
extremely difficult to estimate the total number of street children. There
are, however, relatively fewer children who actually live on the street
compared with those who use it as a means to earn a living.

Street Children as Innocent

Popular images of street children portray them as vulnerable to abuse, at
risk of poor health, exploited by older children or adults, and in some
cases, at risk from vigilantes. Additionally, there is a tendency to view
street children as criminals, victims, or as free spirits. Whatever the
reality, in investigating the lives of street children, it is essential to work
together with them to understand the reasons why they are on the streets
or why they are at risk of finding themselves there.
Relatively few street children are actually orphans. The majority of street
children are still in contact with their families and/or extended families.
Those who run away often do so because of physical, psychological and/or
sexual violence or abuse at home. Family breakdown is also common in
the case of re-marriage and problems with step-parents.
Every child has a right to grow up in a nurturing environment where they
can realize their full potential (Dahlberg & Gunilla, 1999). The street, with
the risks it poses, is not such an environment. I believe that no child
should be denied access to health care, education, or a supportive family
environment. However, for many children, factors such as poverty or
abuse may force them to live or work on the street.
Street Children as Co-constructor of Knowledge, Identity and Culture
Many children working or living on the street are highly resourceful and
independent. Street children can be sceptical of adults and of what they
can do for them. It is therefore necessary to work in a way that is
respectful and considers the children’s own priorities; they are not
necessarily a lost group waiting to be saved.
Conclusion: Victims, villains or heroes?
Many images and stories portray street children either as helpless victims,
dangerous criminals or heroic survivors. The reality is usually somewhere
in between. They show incredible resiliency and initiative in the face of
desperate circumstances. They have to be resourceful and strong in order
to survive. But some do not survive. Others can only do so by breaking
the law. We should respect their individual stories and characteristics.
Each child is unique.

Seorang ibu yang sehari-harinya bekerja
sebagai pemulung tampak sedang
menggendong anaknya sambil berusaha
memberikan air minum. Raut wajahnya
tampak lelah setelah seharian mengorek
gunung sampah bersama rekan-rekannya,
mencari plastik dan kardus bekas yang bisa
dijual lagi ke pengepul.
Ani Nurdwiyanti
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