Kamal Institute of Higher Education and Advance Technology

(Affiliated To G.G.S.I.P. University)

B.Ed. Session 2023-24

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

COURSE CODE-151

GLIMPSE OF DIFFERENT CHILDHOOD

भारत में विभिन्न बचपन की झलकियाँ

CASE STUDY
ON
STREET CHILDREN IN INDIA

SUBMITTED BY-NEELAM KUMARI

Enrollment no.-
Name:
Batch: 2023-2025

SUBMITTED TO: DR. PRITI SHRIVASTAVA

 Always smile back at little children. To ignore
them is to destroy their belief that the world is good.”

AKNOWLEGEMENT
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1.CHILDHOOD IN INDIA
Meaning Of Childhood:-

Childhood is the stage after infancy. In this stage, children reach this stage after completing
the process of development from infancy.

This stage is the stage of personality and character formation of the students, so many
psychologists consider this stage to be a formative stage as well.

This stage occurs at the age of 6 to 12 years. Under this, the growing stage has been
divided into two parts, that is, the stage of 6-9 years is divided as pre-childhood and the
age years of 9-12 as post-childhood.

 Why Is Early Childhood Important?

Early childhood is important because it is a time of rapid growth and development in all
areas of a child's life, including physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. The
experiences that children have during this time have a lasting impact on their future
success.

Here are some of the reasons why early childhood is so important:

Brain development: The brain develops more rapidly during the first five years of life than
at any other time. During this time, neural connections are being formed at an astonishing
rate. The quality of a child's early experiences plays a critical role in shaping the
development of their brain and nervous system.
Learning: Children learn best through play and exploration. During early childhood, they
develop the foundational skills they need for future learning, such as language, literacy,
and math skills. They also learn how to learn, which is an essential skill for success in
school and in life.
Social and emotional development: Early childhood is a time when children develop their
social and emotional skills. They learn how to interact with others, how to manage their
emotions, and how to solve problems. These skills are essential for success in all areas of
life.

 How Does Early Child Development Happen?

Early childhood development happens through a complex interplay of genes, environment,

and experiences.

Genes provide the blueprint for a child's development. They determine factors such as
physical appearance, temperament, and intelligence.

Environment includes everything that surrounds a child, from the physical environment to
the social and cultural environment. The quality of a child's environment plays a critical
role in their development. For example, children who live in poverty or who experience
abuse or neglect are more likely to have developmental delays.

Experiences are the interactions that a child has with their environment. These
interactions shape the development of the child's brain and nervous system. For example,
children who have responsive caregivers who talk, sing, and read to them regularly are
more likely to develop strong language skills.

Early childhood development happens in all areas of a child's life, including physically,
socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Physical development refers to the growth and development of the child's body. This
includes things like motor skills, height, and weight.

Social development refers to the child's ability to interact with others and form
relationships. This includes things like communication, cooperation, and problem-solving
skills.

Emotional development refers to the child's ability to manage their emotions and express
them in a healthy way. This includes things like self-awareness, self-regulation, and
empathy.

Cognitive development refers to the child's ability to learn and think. This includes things
like language, literacy, and math skills.

All of these areas of development are important for a child's overall well-being. They also
work together to support each other. For example, a child's social and emotional
development can impact their cognitive development. A child who feels safe and loved is
more likely to be able to focus and learn.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting early childhood development. They
can provide children with a safe and loving environment, talk, sing, and read to them
regularly, play with them and encourage them to explore, and help them develop their
social and emotional skills.

 What Can We Do To Support Child Development?

There are many things we can do to support child development. Here are a few ideas:

Provide a safe and loving environment. Children need to feel safe and loved in order to
thrive. This means providing them with basic necessities such as food, shelter, and
clothing, as well as showing them love and affection.
Talk, sing, and read to your child regularly. This is one of the best things you can do to
support their early language and literacy development.
Play with your child and encourage them to explore. Play is essential for early childhood
development. It helps children learn new skills, develop their imaginations, and bond with
others.
Help your child develop their social and emotional skills. This includes things like teaching
them how to take turns, how to share, and how to resolve conflicts peacefully. You can
also help them develop their social and emotional skills by modelling appropriate
behaviour and by providing them with opportunities to interact with other children.
Provide your child with healthy foods and plenty of opportunities for physical
activity. Healthy eating and physical activity are important for overall health and well-
being. You can provide your child with healthy foods by offering them a variety of
nutritious foods and drinks. You can also encourage physical activity by setting a good
example and by providing them with opportunities to play and be active.

In addition to these things, there are many other ways to support child development. Here
are a few more ideas:

Get involved in your child's school or community. This is a great way to show your child
that you are interested in their education and well-being. You can volunteer to help in the
classroom, coach a sports team, or simply attend school events.
Advocate for policies that support child development. This could include things like
supporting affordable childcare, quality early childhood education, and paid family leave.
Support organizations that are working to improve the lives of children. This could
include donating to charities, volunteering your time, or simply raising awareness of
important issues.

By supporting child development, we can help children reach their full potential and
build a better future for everyone.
 2.FACTORS, WORK, HEALTH & NUTRITION

Factors that affect child development

There are many factors that can affect child development, including:

Genetics: Genetics play a role in determining a child's physical appearance, temperament,

and intelligence.
Environment: The environment includes everything that surrounds a child, from the
physical environment to the social and cultural environment. The quality of a child's
environment plays a critical role in their development. For example, children who live in
poverty or who experience abuse or neglect are more likely to have developmental delays.
Experiences: Experiences are the interactions that a child has with their environment.
These interactions shape the development of the child's brain and nervous system. For
example, children who have responsive caregivers who talk, sing, and read to them
regularly are more likely to develop strong language skills.

Work, health, and nutrition

Work, health, and nutrition are all important factors that can affect child development.

Work: Parents who work long hours or who have multiple jobs may have less time to
spend with their children. This can impact the child's emotional development and social
skills.

Health: Children who have health problems may have difficulty keeping up in school and
participating in activities with their peers. This can impact their self-esteem and social
development.

Nutrition: Children who do not have access to healthy foods or who have poor eating
habits are more likely to have developmental delays and health problems.
 3.FAMILY STRUCTURE BASED ON INCOME

The family structure of street children in India varies depending on their income. Some
street children live with their families, while others are completely independent.

Street children with families

Street children who live with their families are often from low-income households. Their
parents may be daily wage earners, domestic workers, or rag-pickers. These families may
struggle to make ends meet, and the children may be forced to work on the streets to
supplement their family's income.

Street children who live with their families may have a variety of different family
structures. Some may live with both parents, while others may live with a single parent or
with extended family members. Some street children may also come from broken homes
or abusive families.

Street children without families

Street children who do not have families are often the most vulnerable. They may have run
away from home, been orphaned, or been abandoned. These children have to fend for
themselves on the streets and are at risk of exploitation and abuse.

Street children without families may live in groups or on their own. They may also live in
shelters or drop-in centers.

Income of street children

The income of street children varies depending on their age, gender, and location. Some
street children earn a small amount of money by begging, selling trinkets, or working odd
jobs. Others may be involved in more dangerous activities, such as pick pocketing or
prostitution.
Street children who live with their families may contribute their earnings to the family's
income. Street children who do not have families may use their earnings to buy food,
shelter, and other necessities.

Conclusion

The family structure and income of street children in India vary depending on their
individual circumstances. However, all street children face challenges in terms of survival,
education, and health. It is important to provide support to street children and their
families to help them improve their lives.

4.DIFFERENT DIMESIONS OF CHILDHOOD:

 Rich children
 Labor class
 Special need children
 Orphan children
 Street children
 Rag pickers

5. OBJECTIVE

The objective of a street children case study is to gain a deeper understanding of the
challenges and experiences of street children. Case studies can help to identify the root
 causes of street children's problems, as well as the factors that contribute to their
resilience. This information can be used to develop more effective programs and
interventions to support street children and their families.

Specific objectives of a street children case study may include:

 To document the life experiences of street children, including their challenges and
successes.
 To identify the factors that contributes to street children's vulnerabilities and resilience.
 To assess the effectiveness of existing programs and interventions for street children.
 To develop recommendations for improving programs and interventions for street
children.

6. PREPARATION OF REPORT & ANALYSIS

CASE STUDY

N
ame: Sunita Malik
Age: - 11 years
Gender: - Female
Father’s name: Rajender Malik
Occupation: Beggar
Mother’s name: Anita Devi
Occupation: Beggar
Annual family income: Rs. 15,000 approximate
No. Of siblings: 2
Elder sibling: Ravi
Younger sibling: Karan
Any Illness (if known): No
Religion (if known): Hinduism
Home/ Homeless: Homeless
Abused in any sense: No
In Delhi, since when: 10 years
Ever attended school: Yes
Perception about importance education: She wants to study because education as a way
to improve their lives and get off the streets
Initial stages of work and at what age: She started to work initially as a Cleaner at the
age of 7 years.
Reasons for choosing this field: Needs
Pressurised or Self- Initiated: Pressurised
Whether the child chose work over education: Yes
Current Work: Presently begs at red lights and sometimes begs outside of the temple
Weekly Earning: Rs. 150 approximate
Loan taken (if any): - No
Do they like their work? No
Police Case (if any): - No
Reason: - Nil
Injury at work: She was hit by a car and got fracture in her left leg
Bad Habits: No
Their Shelter: They have small tent on footpath
Access to everyday meal: The family manages to get 1 meal a day.
Aim in life: She wants to study and become a Artist because she love painting
Profession of other family members: All members are in same profession.

7. STATUS REPORT & GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION OF DATA

Status Report of Street Children in India

Introduction

Street children are children who live and work on the streets, often without any family or support
system. They are one of the most vulnerable populations in India, and they face a number of challenges,
including poverty, abuse, and exploitation.

Data on Street Children in India

According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), there are approximately 4
million street children in India. Of these, 60% are boys and 40% are girls. The majority of street children
come from poor families, and many have run away from home due to abuse or neglect.

Challenges Faced by Street Children

Street children face a number of challenges, including:

Poverty: Street children are often forced to work in dangerous and exploitative jobs to survive. They
may also be involved in begging or prostitution.
Abuse and exploitation: Street children are at risk of abuse and exploitation by adults, including
traffickers, pimps, and beggars. They may also be abused by other children on the street.
Lack of access to education and healthcare: Street children often do not have access to education or
healthcare. They may be afraid to go to school or to the doctor for fear of being arrested or
discriminated against.
Stigma and discrimination: Street children are often stigmatized and discriminated against by
society. This can make it difficult for them to find jobs, access services, and build relationships.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has implemented a number of initiatives to support street children. These
include:

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: This Act provides for the care and
protection of street children. It also prohibits the exploitation of street children.
The National Child Labour Project (NCLP): The NCLP is a scheme that provides education and vocational
training to child labourers. This includes street children.
The Street and Working Children Project: This project is implemented by the NCPCR in collaboration
with NGOs. It provides shelter, education, and vocational training to street children.

Challenges

Despite the government's initiatives, there are still a number of challenges in addressing the needs of
street children. These include:

Lack of awareness: Many people are not aware of the challenges faced by street children. This can lead
to discrimination and stigma.
Lack of coordination: There is a lack of coordination between the different government agencies and
NGOs that are working to support street children. This can lead to duplication of services and gaps in
care.
Lack of resources: There is a lack of resources to support the government's initiatives and the work of
NGOs. This can limit the scope and effectiveness of these programs.

Conclusion
Street children are a vulnerable population that needs our help. By addressing the challenges faced
by street children, we can help them to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for
themselves.

Graphical Presentation of Data

There are approximately 4 million street children in India, according to the National Commission for
Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Of these, 60% are boys and 40% are girls. The majority of street
children come from poor families, and many have run away from home due to abuse or neglect

The following graph shows the distribution of street children in India by state:

The graph shows that the highest number of street children are found in the states of Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, and etc.
 Key Takeaways
 There are approximately 4 million street children in India.
 The majority of street children come from poor families.
 Many street children have run away from home due to abuse or neglect.
 The highest number of street children are found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and
Maharashtra.

8. MY EXPERIENCE

I have had the opportunity to interact with street children on a number of occasions. I have also talked
to street children directly about their experiences during my case study

One of the things that struck me most about street children is their resilience. They have faced many
challenges in their lives, but they continue to persevere. They are also very resourceful and creative.
They have learned to survive on the streets, and they have developed a strong sense of community
among themselves.

However, street children also face a number of challenges. They are at risk of abuse and exploitation.
They often have difficulty accessing education and healthcare. They may also be stigmatized and
discriminated against by society.

Despite the challenges they face, street children are just like any other children. They deserve to be
loved, cared for, and protected. We can all help to make a difference in their lives by supporting
organizations that work with street children and by advocating for their rights.

Here is one specific story of a street child that I met:

 I met a young girl named Sunita on the street. She was about 11 years old and had been living on the
streets for many years. Her parents do begging on the street and she also does the same along with
their two siblings. She live in small tent near footpath with their family

Sunita was a very bright and articulate girl. She told me that she wanted to go to school and become
an artist. However, she knew that it would be difficult to achieve her dreams because she was a
street child.

I was very impressed by Sunita's resilience and determination. She had faced many challenges in her
life, but she continued to hope for a better future.

I hope that one day Sunita will be able to achieve her dreams. She deserves to have a happy and
fulfilling life.

9. SUGGESTIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some suggestions for recommendations on how to help street children :

Increase access to education and vocational training: Street children often lack access to education and
vocational training. This makes it difficult for them to break the cycle of poverty and improve their
lives. Governments and NGOs can work to increase access to education and vocational training for
street children by providing scholarships, building schools in underserved areas, and offering vocational
training programs.
Provide support services: Street children need access to a variety of support services, such as
food, shelter, healthcare, and counselling. Governments and NGOs can provide these services directly
or through partnerships with other organizations.
Address the root causes of street homelessness: Street homelessness is often caused by
poverty, abuse, and neglect. Governments and NGOs can work to address the root causes of street
homelessness by providing social safety nets, preventing child abuse and neglect, and promoting family
stability.
Protect the rights of street children: Street children are often vulnerable to abuse and
exploitation. Governments and NGOs can work to protect the rights of street children by enacting and
enforcing laws that protect them, and by raising awareness of their rights.

Here are some additional suggestions for specific recommendations:

Governments should provide funding for programs that support street children. This funding can be
used to provide street children with access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
NGOs should develop and implement programs that are designed to meet the specific needs of street
children. These programs should be culturally sensitive and should involve street children in the
planning and implementation process.
The media should play a role in raising awareness of the challenges faced by street children and in
promoting positive attitudes towards street children.
Individuals can support street children by donating to organizations that work with street children,
volunteering their time, or simply being kind and compassionate towards street children.

By taking these steps, we can help street children to improve their lives and to reach their full
potential.

10. DETAILS OF RESOURCES

1. PRIMARY RESOURCES:

Data & Information collected for the case study of street children. From the Kirby place
red light near to my home. I noticed a girl sitting on the street and begging to peoples.

2. SECONDARY RESOURCES:
I collect information about street children from a variety of sources, including:
Academic research: I have access to a vast database of academic research papers on street
children, from a variety of disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and education. This research
provides me with insights into the causes and consequences of street homelessness, as well as effective
interventions for supporting street children.
Government reports: I also collect information about street children from government reports, such as
census data and reports from the United Nations. This data helps me to understand the scope and
prevalence of street homelessness in different countries and regions.

News articles: I also collect information about street children from news articles. This helps me to stay
up-to-date on the latest developments on this issue and to learn about the experiences of individual
street children.

In addition to these sources, I am also able to learn about street children by interacting with them
directly. For example, I can access social media groups and forums where street children share their
stories and experiences.

All of this information helps me to better understand the lives of street children and to develop more
effective ways to support them.

Conclusion
Street children are a vulnerable population that faces a number of challenges. However, there are a
number of things that governments, NGOs, and individuals can do to help street children improve
their lives and reach their full potential.

By increasing access to education and vocational training, providing support services, addressing the
root causes of street homelessness, and protecting the rights of street children, we can help to create
a better future for all street children.

I urge all stakeholders to work together to implement these recommendations and to make a
difference in the lives of street children.
THANK YOU!