1. Lived experiences of out-of-school children involved in begging and scavenging: a study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- Author
-
Ullah, Kefayat, Shah, Rahat, and Ullah, Ihsan
- Subjects
PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience ,CHILDREN'S health ,QUALITATIVE research ,STATISTICAL sampling ,INTERVIEWING ,CHILD abuse ,JUDGMENT sampling ,PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation ,SOCIAL responsibility ,CHILD labor ,CHILDREN'S accident prevention ,EXPERIENCE ,THEMATIC analysis ,SOUND recordings ,ECONOMICS ,CONCEPTUAL structures ,COMMUNICATION ,POVERTY ,WELL-being - Abstract
This study was aimed at exploring the lived experiences of out-of-school children engaged in begging and scavenging in Pakistan. There is a dearth of existing literature in the context of Pakistan on out of school children who are engaged in begging, scavenging and other hazardous activities. The research also offers an extensive understanding of the responsible factors and possible consequences of engagement in these activities on out-of-school children. In this qualitative study, 21 out-of-school children of district Swat Pakistan aged 5 to 18 years, comprised of both boys and girls engaged in such activities were recruited through a purposive sampling. The respondents were interviewed using an interview guide, and the data was analyzed through a thematic analysis technique. The study was guided by poverty theories, including 'structure theory' and 'culture of poverty theory,' which served as the theoretical framework. The research findings reveal that child begging and scavenging are primarily caused by poverty, high inflation, forced labor, and earning responsibilities. The findings further suggest that these children are exposed to maltreatment, scolding, abuse, and exploitation which also create detrimental effects on their health. We also found some positive aspects of their experiences related to their contribution towards their families, their adaptability, and resilience in the face of many challenges. The study findings make a significant contribution to the existing literature on out-of-school children and their engagement in begging and scavenging activities in a less-explored cultural context of Pakistan. The study findings can be used to inform stakeholders, including policymakers, educational practitioners, and child welfare specialists about the requisite awareness, protection, and needs of at-risk children in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF