The Prevalence of Street Children in Medan Johor District

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 117 views

Introduction

Medan Johor District, Medan City, is a region in Indonesia that has been grappling with the issue of street children. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2008, the number of poor people in urban areas reached 47.11 percent of a total of 1.78 million. This figure is one of the main factors of the emergence of street children, although the problem underlying this phenomenon is not only focused on economic poverty. The desire of children to feel freedom without being bound by the rules and norms applied by parents and the community also contributes.

The Prevalence of Street Children in Medan Johor District

Based on data from the North Sumatra Social Service, in 2008 there were around 18,741 street children spread across various districts and cities in North Sumatra. Seeing this condition, it appears that the efforts of the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in dealing with the problems of street children are still less effective. The quality of the programs offered, especially in the development of life skills and education for street children, has not been able to minimize the growth of the number of street children in urban areas, especially in Medan Johor District.

Research Methodology

Research conducted with a descriptive qualitative approach aims to describe the conditions of the characteristics and socio-economic background of street children in Medan Johor District. This research was conducted at various intersection knots in the region, with the research subjects being street children taken randomly through accidental sampling techniques. Data collection techniques are carried out through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations of the activities of children who work on the streets.

The Characteristics of Street Children in Medan Johor District

The results showed that most street children in Medan Johor District were young and still classified as children. Their activities vary, ranging from busking, paving, to selling newspapers. Most of them came from outside Medan Johor District and were involved in this activity for their own volition. The main cause of this condition is the economic background of the family that is unable to meet the needs of life. Many of them have dropped out of school or never even attended school at all.

The Challenges Faced by Street Children in Medan Johor District

Ironically, even though these children work hard, the income they get is not enough to meet their basic needs, such as balanced nutrition, decent clothing, and better access to education. This shows that even though there is an attempt by children to make a living, they remain trapped in a poverty circle that is difficult to decide.

The Need for Collaboration and Effective Solutions

The condition of street children in Medan Johor District reflects complex social challenges. Collaboration is needed between the government, the community, and NGOs to create a more effective solution in overcoming this problem. Programs that not only focus on financial assistance but also education and skills development will be very helpful in providing a better future for street children, as well as minimizing the growth rate of street children in urban areas. This effort needs to be supported by all elements of society so that children have a better opportunity to develop and go to school.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of street children in Medan Johor District is a complex social challenge that requires a collaborative effort from all elements of society. The government, the community, and NGOs need to work together to create effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem. By providing education, skills development, and financial assistance, we can help street children break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for themselves.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this research, the following recommendations are made:

The government should increase funding for programs that address the needs of street children, including education, skills development, and financial assistance.
The community should be involved in the development of programs that support street children, including providing food, clothing, and shelter.
NGOs should work closely with the government and the community to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem.
The education system should be improved to provide better opportunities for street children to access education and skills development.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

The impact of poverty on the emergence of street children
The effectiveness of programs that address the needs of street children
The role of the community in supporting street children
The development of effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem

Q: What is the main cause of the emergence of street children in Medan Johor District?

A: The main cause of the emergence of street children in Medan Johor District is economic poverty. Many families are unable to meet the needs of life, leading children to drop out of school or never attend school at all.

Q: What are the activities that street children in Medan Johor District engage in?

A: The activities that street children in Medan Johor District engage in vary, ranging from busking, paving, to selling newspapers. Most of them come from outside Medan Johor District and are involved in this activity for their own volition.

Q: What are the challenges faced by street children in Medan Johor District?

A: The challenges faced by street children in Medan Johor District include not having enough income to meet their basic needs, such as balanced nutrition, decent clothing, and better access to education. They remain trapped in a poverty circle that is difficult to decide.

Q: What is the role of the government in addressing the issue of street children in Medan Johor District?

A: The government should increase funding for programs that address the needs of street children, including education, skills development, and financial assistance. They should also work closely with the community and NGOs to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem.

Q: What is the role of the community in supporting street children in Medan Johor District?

A: The community should be involved in the development of programs that support street children, including providing food, clothing, and shelter. They should also work closely with the government and NGOs to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem.

Q: What is the role of NGOs in addressing the issue of street children in Medan Johor District?

A: NGOs should work closely with the government and the community to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem. They should also provide education, skills development, and financial assistance to street children.

Q: What are the recommendations for addressing the issue of street children in Medan Johor District?

A: The following recommendations are made:

The government should increase funding for programs that address the needs of street children, including education, skills development, and financial assistance.
The community should be involved in the development of programs that support street children, including providing food, clothing, and shelter.
NGOs should work closely with the government and the community to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem.
The education system should be improved to provide better opportunities for street children to access education and skills development.

Q: What are the future research directions for addressing the issue of street children in Medan Johor District?

A: Future research should focus on the following areas:

The impact of poverty on the emergence of street children
The effectiveness of programs that address the needs of street children
The role of the community in supporting street children
The development of effective solutions that address the root causes of this problem

By conducting further research in these areas, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social challenges faced by street children in Medan Johor District and develop more effective solutions to address this problem.