Asheber, Tsedey (2005) Social Capital as a Survival Mechanism: The Case of Some Street Children and Youth in Addis Ababa. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
The research focuses mainly on the social capital of street children and youth. This social capital is used as a vital survival mechanism by these groups. The structure of the society that supports them in their survival from the perspective of the street children and youth is one of the areas of interest. This research explores the informal social and economic networks created and used by street children and youth in Addis Ababa in an effort to build opportunities for survival by studying their everyday street lives. The research aims to explore the internal structure of the groups and the relationship between those groups and the society through their interaction with external persons and institutions. Networks and daily activities of children and adolescents living and /or working on the streets of Addis Ababa were examined. Topics covered include networks, groups, norms, trust, social support and intervention of the institutions that support the street children and youth. Informal relationships within and outside the family- relatives, friends and neighbours- are also examined to assess the society's social capital. Family and personal socio economic backgrounds are also studied to give a full picture of the situation of the street children and youth. The approach used for this research includes both quantitative and qualitative which are suitable for studying complex issues like social capital. Semi structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews were used to contextualize their everyday lives to reveal their abilities as citizens for the nation's future, and to promote the society's efforts to support them so that they become capable and loyal citizens. Drawing on data collected through these methods, the paper describe social resources, institutional experience, survival activities and problem behaviours and investigate differences attributable to their street children and youth categories and their living situation (at home or on the street).The research shows that a complex system of social relations emerges on the street, with children and youth revealing their assets and resilience to survive the harsh street life. Therefore, this complexity of the street social world and of the children and youth's experience has to be taken into account in intervention programmes designed to take children and youth off the streets.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Social capital, norms, trust, network, 'high risk', 'on' street and 'of' street children and youth |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Geoffrey Obatsa |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jun 2019 11:53 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jun 2019 11:53 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/9231 |
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