Rapid Assessment of Tehran's Street Children Situation, 1393: Factors and Risks of children's Street Working

Working in Street as a part of Child Labor is a Global problem. Several studies have focused on familial factors of child labor in Iran. This study is going to present the issue of child labor and its risk factors and impacts on street children in Tehran. This study used rapid assessment and response method in 1391-92 in Tehran. Samples were recruited from street children in Tehran as well as from key informants in field of child labor. Data was gathered through literature review, qualitative interviews using Focus Group Discussion with 13 groups of street children, in-depth individual interview with 16 experts, and interview with 286 street children using structured questionnaires in 128 venues in Tehran. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis and quantitative data was analyzed statistically using Chi square tests. Findings showed that earning money to support family financially was the main reason for children being worked in the streets (75.3%). In accessibility to formal education for Afghan children, family conflicts such as violence, drug use and different cultural attitudes between children and parents were considered as other reasons on becoming street children in different ethnic groups. Children were at risk of multiple physical, sexual, and mental health problems specially violence in their homes and streets. As a conclusion, although economic problems have main role in becoming a street child, but it is not an unique reason. Therefore, in planning for street children, other substantial factors should be considered. Besides, future studies are recommended to be concentrated on child laboring in other places than streets.