Is Institutionalization of Street Children the Best Option?

In August 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka announced a program on rehabilitating street children by institutionalizing all the children of the streets. Recent study carried out by Save the Children on Children on the Move in Hambantota District clearly pointed out that children are against being institutionalized. They want to live with their family.

What the policy makers should understand is that extreme poverty is not a reason to loose the right to family life. As a result of being in the streets, these children are denied the right for basic needs such as food, education, and proper housing. Yet, most of the street children have a family. Most of the street children live and work on the streets during day time and go to their shelter at night. Only very few children on the streets doesn’t have a family. By institutionalizing street children right to family life is denied.

Although most policy makers see these children as a social menace, these children are street wise. They have developed survival skills. Some of these children are the breadwinners of their family.

It is very rarely you come across a child who is a criminal. Most of them try to earn a living through a morally acceptable manner. I.e., selling lottery tickets, selling joysticks, begging, etc. It is not their will to be economically active at a very young age but it is a result of extreme poverty of their parents or care givers. If their care giver had a decent means of income, these children could have enjoyed their childhood rather than being economically active for survival.

The current procedures to rehabilitate street children victimises them. They are taken into Police custody, harassed by Police officers, presented at the courts and then institutionalized. Most street children fear probation officers and police officers. It is ironic that the so called guardians of child protection are not seen as guardians but rather as people who criminalizes and victimises street children. Of course the officers are trying to fulfil the duties prescribed to them by policy makers.

Life in institutions is not a rosy life. May be children are given access to education, shelter and food. But how can this compensate the love of family members? Will a matron in charge of the institution compliment the love of a mother or father? The child in institution will grow up without proper family ties. After 18, he/ she will be sent back to the world, as an isolated person. He/ she would have to re-learn the survival strategies.

The abuse that occurs in institutions are rarely documented or spoken of. There are many institutions that physically punish children. There are places where children are religiously converted. The children in institutions don’t have a voice to talk about human rights violations they face in the process of institutionalization and in institutions. Most street children who have experienced institutionalization see it as a punishment for being poor.

Policy makers should rethink of protection strategies for street children. When developing an action plan, it is necessary to analyze and address the root causes of an issue rather than re-victimizing a victim of a social issue. In case of street children, it is necessary to address abject poverty and support their families to get over poverty rather than institutionalizing street children.


Reference:

De Silva, N and Punchihewa, A (2010) Children on the Move in Hambantota District. Save the Children in Sri Lanka. (Unpublished)

Fernando, A. (2009) Street children need guidance and vocational training, not ‘rehabilitation’. Sunday Times, 1st November 2009. http://sundaytimes.lk/091101/Plus/plus_03.html  (retrieved on 31st Janauary 2010)