Name of Candidate:

School
Centre No.

:
:

Candidate No
Name of teacher

:
:

School contact No. :

Title:
An investigation into the level and causes of Street Children in Red Gate Community.

Acknowledgement
The researcher would like to thank all the persons who helped to make this project a success, namely, my teacher for
her words of encouragement during the difficult times, my peers who took time out to read the project and last but
certainly not least the heavenly father who gave the researcher the strength to carry out this project.

The research wants to give you all big thanks for your knowledge and time; your help is
mostly appreciated thank you.

Introduction

This project contains materials of research which was undertaken to identify the problems
facing by the street children of the water cress and adjoining Communities within a five mile
radius. How they survive on a daily bases and the different task they undertake on the street how
the problem is develop and what can be implement to reduce are even end the issues of street
children.
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Problem Statement

What are the main causes of Street Children in the Red Gate Community?
This research seeks to find out the following:
1)
2)
3)
4)

How significant is the problem of Street Children in this community?

What are the main causes of Street Children in this community?
What effect does Street Children have on this community?
What measures can be taken to deal with the problem of Street Children in the
community?

Reasons for Selecting Research Area

The problem of Street Children in the Red Gate Community was brought to my attention
one evening when I was on my way home from school.
I came in view of kids, ages ranging from about 7-16 begging money from person
passing their way. There were all rigidly attired, barefooted and they all looked hungry. So I have
decided to do a research on the main supporting factor for them being on the street and what
measures can be implemented to solve this problem.

Method of Investigation
In order to accumulate data for this research, I have decided to provide printed
questionnaires for distribution to the street children of the Red Gate area.
I have chosen to use the questionnaire as an instrument for collecting data because it has
a number of advantages:
i.
ii.
iii.

Simple and takes less time to complete.

It is confidential because respondents names are not required.
It can be answered by any average individual.

Questionnaire

i.
ii.
iii.

Sex:
Male
Female
Age group: 05-08
, 09-11
, 12-16
How long have you been living on the streets?
1-5yrs

6-10yrs

others

1) Where do you sleep?

Shelter
home
on the street
others
2) How often do you eat?
once a day
twice a day
none at all
3) What is your reason for being on the streets?
Abuse by parent

peer pressure

drug addiction

others

4) What are your ways of survival?

5) Do your parents know where you are?

6) If no why is this so?

7) What are your goals for the future?

____________________________________________________________
8) What would you suggest parents do to stop their children from ending up here?
Counseling them

keeping a close eye on them

to make all decisions by themselves

No action

9) Do you attend school?

Yes

No

Sometimes

Encourage them not

10) What do you think the government can put in place (implement) to decrease this
problem?

Procedure used to collect Data

The small residential area of red gate and surrounding communities, was chosen
based on the amount of street children based in the surrounding communities, most of the
candidates were not able to read or write and as such the questionnaire had to be
administrated verbally and the response recorded exactly, due to the horrific nature we
had to promise every participants $50 for their corporation.
Ten questions questionnaires were designed and 30 copies was distributed to each
member of the sample. It was expected that each questionnaire would be return on time.
The research was conducted over a two week period, from September 8 2014
However, given a longer time a grater sample would have being collected with more
reliable information.

Presentation of Data

This research investigated the main cause of Street Children in rural community. . Of
these 50% were male and 50% female. The results of the questionnaires are shown below.

Fig 1. Graph showing the rating of Street Children.

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Counseling

Encourgement

Close eye

No action

Fig 1. The graph shows that the major of the resident thinks that the problem of Street
Children is very high.

Fig 3. Graph showing the residence views on what are the main causes of Street
Children.

15%

25%
Abuse by parent
Deliquency
Peer pressure

60%

Fig 3 is a pie chart showing the views of the residence on what causes Street Children.
The chart shows, that majority of the residences thinks its caused by delinquencies.
While minority think its peer pressure.

Fig 4. Table showing the responses of the residences to the question. Do these children
attend school?
Yes

Sometimes
10%

No
90%

Fig 4 the table above shows that the majority of the resident believes that Street Children
does not attend school. While 10% of the residences believe Street Children attend school
sometimes.

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Fig 5. bar graph below showing responses from the resident on what Street Children have
to do to survive.

No action

Close eye

Encourgement

Counseling
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Fig 5 clearly shows that 45% believe that these children steal to survive. Also 20% sell
drugs and 15% believe they use weapons. In addition, another 205 of these children
engage in sexual activities.

Fig 6. Pie chart showing what the resident believe can be done to prevent the increase in
Street Children in the community.

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8%
15%

Counseling
52%

Encourgement
Close eye
No action

25%

As shown above 52% believe that we can prevent the increase of Street Children by counseling
the youth. Also 25% said it can be prevented by encouraging them not to make all decision by
themselves, 15% said we should keep a close eye on them, while the remaining 8% said no
action.

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Analysis and Interpretation of Data

The survey shows that Street Children is one of the most significant problems
among the youth in the Red Gate Community. The residence agreed that most of the
youth are undergoing pressure, because of financial needs, while the others are
undergoing pressure because of poor self esteem, abused by parent, hence poor parental
guidance and some just being delinquent as shown in figure 3.
Based on figure 4 majority of these children dont attend school. This leads to an
increase in juvenile delinquency and a society with understanding youth. This will also
lead to an increase in the crime rate.
In addition, the residence believes that majority of the Street Children steal to
survive as shown in figure 5. They believe also that these children engage in drugs, using
weapons and sexual activities.
As shown in figure 1 the residence response believes that the problem of Street
Children is increasing very high 50%. Also 30% believe the problem is just high. In
addition, 20% think the problem is very low.
The residence claimed that Street Children should be counseled to help them deal
with pressure and abuse in which they are facing. The parent should also spent more time
with their children and also surround them with love.

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Statement of Findings
This research has revealed that there are a number of findings as it relates to the
problem of Street Children in Red Gate Community
1. Street Children is a major problem among children in the community, as shown in fig
1 that 50% of the residence believe the problem is very high. This indicates that some
of the youth are being mislead.
2. Abused by parent and delinquency is the main cause of Street Children in the
community as indicated in figure 3.
3. Most of the residents are being pressure for money from these children. In addition,
the crime rate in the community is increasing due to the problem of Street children.

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Recommendations and Implementations

Members of the community have suggested that children should be more resistant to this
kind of problem that they are facing.
One of the most important recommendations is that they should seek help from counselor
and any other agonies that are there to help reduce the problem of Street Children. Also, they
can talk to their parents about the problem that they are having.
The youth of today should have more self-esteem and self-confidence. They also need to
find someone that they can confide in a feel comfortable talking to. These children need to
speak up and make wise decisions.
In order to help these youth develop a greater self-esteem and confidence, the researcher
will try inspire them through motional speeches the researcher will invite family counselors,
business personnel and other successful members of the community to provide
encouragement for the youth through a membership program. This will help the other
teenagers down the right path, where they can succeed in their future endeavors.

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Bibliography

Reference: Rampersad Ramsawak and Ralph R. Umraw- Social Studies 3rd

edition

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