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Escaping Violence, Seeking Freedom

Why Children in Bangladesh Migrate to the Street

Bibliographic Data

ID3884022
AuthorsAlessandro Conticini (University of Manchester), David Hulme (0000-0002-4111-1589, University of Manchester)
Year2007
Volume38
Issue2
Pages201-227
Publication date2007-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopment and Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-155X • E-ISSN: 1467-7660
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00409.x
OpenAlexW3122823742
LanguageEN
Citations received39
References cited29

In Bangladesh, as in many developing countries, there is a widespread belief amongst the public, policy makers and social workers that children 'abandon' their families and migrate to the street because of economic poverty. Ignoring and avoiding mounting evidence to the contrary, this dominant narrative posits that children whose basic material needs cannot be met within the household move to the street. This article explores this narrative through the analysis of detailed empirical research with children in Bangladesh. It finds that social factors lie behind most street migration and, in particular, that moves to the street are closely associated with violence towards and abuse of children within the household and local community. These findings are consistent with the wider literature on street migration from other countries. In Bangladesh, those who seek to reduce the flow of children to the streets need to focus on social policy, especially on how to reduce the excessive control and emotional, physical and sexual violence that occur in some households. Economic growth and reductions in income poverty will be helpful, but they will not be sufficient to reduce street migration by children

Criminology · Developing country · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Narrative · Poison control · Political science · Poverty · Sexual abuse · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Homelessness and Social Issues · Sex work and related issues · Urban and Rural Development Challenges

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Unique citing works39
Citations per year0,68
Citation span1969 - 2025 (57)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 32
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