Assessment on the Effect of Demographic Characteristics and Street Factors on Antisocial Behavior of Street Children and Adolescents in Koboko Municipality

Abstract

The study investigates the pull and push factors to children’s street situation and influence of demographic and street factors on antisocial behaviour of street children and adolescents in Koboko Municipality. Koboko District has seen an increase in idle children a precipitate of antisocial behavior. The researcher employes mixed method design in which qualitative and quantitative data was collected from 115 respondents including children and adolescents and people in contact with children in the street. Descriptive and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted using SPSS to identify significant trends and correlations. The findings reveal that poverty, domestic violence, physical abuse, sickness, negligence, peer pressure, vending for money, and absence of parents cause the emergence of street children and adolescents in Koboko Municipality. Additionally, street factors significantly influence antisocial behavior among street children and adolescents. It is recommended that families with or without street children and adolescents be sensitized on street children and adolescents phenomenon and positive parenting as a protective factor for children and adolescents at risk of streetism. The researcher further recommends multi-faceted approach to addressing street children antisocial behavior including enhanced education programme, family support services, and reintegration programme that involves government, community leaders and non-governmental organisations. These recommendations, if implemented, could significantly reduce the antisocial behavior of street children as well as the number of street children in the streets of Koboko.