"Streetism": A Socio-Cultural and Pastoral Theological Study of a Youth Problem in Ghana Open Access
Arthur, Isaac Ishmael (2013)
Published
Abstract
This study investigates the phenomenon of "streetism"- the manner of life of homeless or unmonitored youth on the streets of Accra, Ghana, and other urban centers in a country where barrenness and childlessness are socially undesirable. The study utilizes a qualitative, ethnographic and critical theory-based approach to present a socio culturally nuanced addition to the literature on street children. The work engages in theological reflection on the basis of the experiences of poverty and marginalization of the youth on the streets and for their liberation. This thesis also utilizes an intercultural methodology to examine the causes of streetism and liberation praxis for its eradication.
The findings of the study include how poverty, dropping out of school, breakdown of the extended family systems, parental death, urbanization, adventure, and earning of personal income influence the migration of youth to the streets. The study also examines the effects of rape, and the resilient and hopeful attitudes of the homeless youth. The study proposes pastoral responses on three ecological levels. At the macro level, advocacy is proposed for addressing the problems embedded in social structures, and government policies and ideologies. At the meso level congregational and community response is offered to deal with issues emanating from local communities and institutions. Dealing with the psycho-social effects at the micro level, the study offers pastoral counseling for street youth and parents, and individual, group, and narrative counseling approaches for individuals and groups within the community.
Table of Contents
Introduction...1
Chapter 1: Statement of the Problem...4
The Concept of Childhood in Ghana...4
Statement of the Problem Explored...11
The Purpose and Overview of the Study...16
The Significance of the Study and the Author's Concern...18
Chapter 2: Previous Study and Literature Review...21
History of Migration in Ghana...21
Street Youth Defined...23
Poverty and Youth Homelessness...28
Global Numbers of Street Children/Youth...33
The Movement of Youth as an Internal Migration...36
Characteristics of the Youth Migrants...37
The Concept of Migration Decision-Making...39
The Push and Pull Factors which Influence the Youth Migration...40
The Push and Pull in the North-South Context of Youth Migration...42
The Experiences of the Youth Migrants in the Cities...43
Opportunities in the Cities...47
Coping and Survival Strategies...48
Returning Home and Re-integration...51
Streets Youth and the Family...53
The African Social Support System...54
Political and Economic Reasons for Streetism...56
Policy Recommendations...56
Sodom and Gomorrah, the Hub of Migrants in Accra...58
Limitations of the Literature...60
This Study's Contribution to the Literature...62
Chapter 3: Methodology...65
Intercultural Theological Methodology...65
Overview...71
Participants...72
Detailed Study Procedure...74
Ethnography/Critical Theory...76
Individual In-Depth Interviews...78
Content and Duration of Interviews...80
Data Collection...82
Data Handling/Storage Procedures and Transcription...85
Data Analysis...86
Human Subjects Protection/The Ethics of Research...87
Informed Consent...88
Confidentiality and Anonymity...90
Evaluation and Validation...91
Chapter 4: Findings...94
Demographic Characteristics of the Homeless Youth in Ghana...94
Causes of Youth Homelessness...97
Poverty...97
Earnings of Personal Income...98
Adventure...100
Parental Death...100
School Drop-Outs...101
Divorce and Single-Parenthood...102
Urbanization as a Trigger of Migration...103
Breakdown of the Extended Family System...104
Homeless Youth Reflect on their Experiences of Living on the Street...104
Homeless Girls' Encounter with Rape on the Streets of Accra...106
Where the Homeless Youth Work and Sleep on the Streets of Accra...108
Thematic Analysis...117
Family Dysfunction, Extended Family Breakdown and Youth Migration...118
Rape in the System...122
The Domestic Violence Victims Unit of the Ghana Police Service (DOVVSU)...126
The Domestic Violence Act of 2007...127
Resilience and Creativity...134
Spirituality, Hope for the Present and Future Focus...138
The Unexplainable Hope...138
Hope as a Response to Deprivation...140
Hope as sense of Loss...142
Hope as Future Projection...143
Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings...145
Macro Level Intervention...145
Issues Militating Against the Homeless Youth...145
The Socio-Economic Factors...146
Land Tenure System and Poverty...152
Ameliorating the Socio-Economic Woes...153
Breakdown of the Family and Unstable Homes...154
Educational Matters...158
On the Cultural Front...162
The Rights of the Homeless Youth in Ghana...166
Pastoral Response as Implications for Ministry...174
Meso Level Intervention...179
Theological and Congregational Response...179
Social Justice Work as Pastoral Response...183
Teaching Interventions within the Church Community...184
Early Childhood Development in the African Context...184
Acquiring Respect and Obedience...186
Micro Level Intervention...188
Counseling the Homeless Youth...188
Counseling the Homeless Youth through Psychotherapy...189
Empathy in Counseling...191
Counseling the Homeless Youth though Narrative Approach...194
Adopting the Collective Narrative Practice in Counseling...196
Individual Cognitive Therapy with the Homeless Youth...199
Group Counseling for the Homeless Youth...199
Reasons for Group Therapy Engagement...200
Universality, Related and Support System...201
Psycho-Education, Modeling, and Social Skills Practice...201
Various Groups...202
Antisocial/Delinquent Personality Disorder...202
Avoidant Personality Character Traits...204
Counseling the Depressive Homeless Youth...205
Therapeutic Encounter with the Abused Victims in the Church Community...208
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)...213
Pastoral Care for those affected by PTSD...214
Deconstructing Patriarchy in Counseling...217
Gender-Based Violence...219
Pastoral Response to Gender-Based Violence Survivors...221
Issues of Divorce and Step-Parenting...222
Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy...225
Therapeutic Technique of Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy...226
Mentoring the Homeless Youth...227
Drama by the Homeless Youth...229
Chapter 6: Summary and Conclusions...231
Policy Recommendations...235
Limitation and Recommendations for Further Research...237
Appendix A: Term...239
Appendix B: Assent Form...240
Appendix C: Interview Guide...241
Bibliography...242
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