ABSTRACT

To define the social demographic characteristics of the children working on the streets, their conditions, and whether there is a connection between working on the streets and children delinquency have been the aim of this study. We surveyed 70 children working on the streets with their con-sent, talking to them individualy face to face.

Cases were in the age group of 7-17. 46 cases ( % 65.8 ) we-re students, as well as working after school. Their success at school was about % 85.7 average and below average. Most of them worked as shoe shiners ( % 64.3 ).

In most of the cases, they have migrated to Aydın, they we-re a part of a crowded main family living in 2 or 3 roomed ho-uses. They had no time for themselves to socialize or to play. Physical child abuse was found as % 54.3. Smoking rate was % 30.0. Using alcohol and drugs in the past was not determined.

Up to present date, 13 cases have left home ( %18.6 ), out of these cases 8 of them slept on the streets through the night. It is thought that this is a risk factor for street children.

Cases showed a rate of % 22.9 committed offences. The ra-te of committed offences were determined less among the children going to school compared with children who never went to school or left school.