Street-connected children and factors that influence their street presence: A critical literature review

A widely observed phenomenon highlights that street-connected children are repeatedly exposed to unrelenting struggles when they should be raised with care and love.While existing literature identifies numerous causes of their street presence, this study focused on three key issues: poverty, violence, and abuse.To achieve this goal, this critical literature review systematically analyzed relevant documents to accurately explore some of the components that cause these children to live on the streets.While this method chiefly focused on evaluating and synthesizing existing research to provide a novel perspective, it can be subjective and biased.Nonetheless, the analysis revealed that although opportunities are available, some of these children still prefer to live on the streets.This seeming contradiction continues to convolute street life and makes it somewhat unfeasible and unworkable to adequately render assistance.To maintain objectivity, minimize bias and ensure that this study is robust and valuable, it compared conflicting evidence, and proposed future research.It also provided significant theoretical knowledge that can apprise educational practitioners, social workers, policymakers, and researchers in designing worthwhile programs that can support these children and assist them to become better citizens.This research is significant since it provides a comprehensive perspective on street-connected children and why they choose to dwell on the streets. Key words: Street-connected children,