Socio-Spatial Study of Street Children in Kolkata

The book explores socio-economic life as well as spatial distribution of street children in Kolkata. It also focuses on the direct and indirect reasons for the children being on the street in Kolkata in general as it is an urban phenomenon and Sealdah Station area in particular as it is an important rail junction terminal of Kolkata city. Poverty and unemployment or the economic problems; social and cultural changes like rapid urbanization, high population growth, political unrest, natural disasters are the main causes for their migration to street situation. They constitute the marginalized socially excluded, stigmatized and one of the most vulnerable population in most urban centers. Many of these children are ill, helpless, without food and clothes and most are exposed to serious forms of exploitation. The inadequate food, unhygienic living conditions and the stress of violence and abuse affects the health of the target population of the study area. Living on the street, with no supervision, protection or guidance often makes street children vulnerable to a wide range of problems.