FACTORS  INFLUENCING SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG CHILDREN LIVING ON STREETS WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON HARARE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISCTRICT

Eric S. M. S. Makura; Witness Chikoko; Phillip Magaba

Volume : IV, Issue : VII, July - 2015

FACTORS INFLUENCING SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG CHILDREN LIVING ON STREETS WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON HARARE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISCTRICT

Eric S. M. S. Makura, Witness Chikoko, Phillip Magaba

Abstract :

Children Living On Streets (CLONS), the world over, tend to indulge in various despicable anti–social behaviours. That they live on the streets, like lunatics, if not worse than wild animals, is not so much of their own– making, but rather, a result of a multiplicity of factors, a focus that is outside the realm of this study. One of such behaviour is sex, not only between boys and girls, but also among boys as well as among girls. This study concerned itself with determining factors that influence CLONS in Zimbabwe to delight in promiscuity at such tender age, but focusing only on Harare Central Business (HBD). The study mainly used the Qualitative Research Methodological Approach, but also used the Qualitative Paradigm whenever it was seen to be the most appropriate in effectively illustrating issues. Data was collected mainly through the use of guided interview schedules, for majority of research participants representing CLONS were considered incapable of answering questionnaires since most of them were illiterate. Questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents with close contact with CLONS, such as social workers and police. The study unearthed compelling evidence that showed that CLONS wallow in promiscuity largely because of substance abuse, peer pressure, street sub–culture ,stigma and discrimination. The study recommends that: 1) Abandoning, or wilful neglect of children should be illegal and liable to imprisonment with hard labour; 2) Living on the streets should be illegalised and liable to imprisonment with hard labour; 3) Giving any form of gift to CLONS should be illegal and liable to imprisonment with hard labour; 4) Giving any form of gift to CLONS should be illegal and liable to imprisonment with hard labour; 5) Government should establish at least one special Centre in each of the 10 Provinces where the CLONS would be resettled as boarders and receive holistic education – academic, physical, moral and manual; 5) Any CLONS who deserts from such Centres should be liable to imprisonment with hard labour; 6) Government should make concerted effort and have adequate Social Workers to provide counselling services to these young social misfits; and, lastly, 7) Multiplicity of Organisations ,which only after Decolonisation, are now so enthusiastically and clangorously clamouring for children�s rights, but were quite mute during the Colonial Epoch, should demonstrate their sincerity by pouring in money and support the Zimbabwe Government in not only establishing such Centres, but also have them made more attractive and well staffed.