This book deals with street children who live in the developing world, and homeless youth who are from the developed world. They are referred to as children in street situations (CSS) to show that the problem is both in the children and in the situation they face. The book examines several aspects of the children and their street situations, including the families of origin and the homes they leave, the children’s social life, and mental health. Other aspects are the problems of published demographics, the construction of public opinion about these children and the, often violent, reactions from authorities. The book then discusses current research on children in street situations, as well as programs and policies. The book ends with recommendations about programs, policies and research.

"This book is meant for those concerned about protecting and improving the lives of the street children and it includes information for research and educational purposes. While street children receive national and international notice, it has been focused largely on social, economic and health problems of the children - poverty, lack of education, AIDS, prostitution and substance abuse. This often neglected side of street children's lives has been the focus of this book and it is in this context that the subject of street child labour and its impact on children's development is investigated."

Street children: Who are they? Why do they live on the streets? Do they deliberately choose to be homeless? What quality of life do they enjoy? What are the characteristics of these children? These questions appear to be simple, but the answers are extremely complex. In general, street children are those who are deprived of their basic rights and dignity as human beings. They do not have proper education and are extremely vulnerable to all types of exploitation. Street children have complex circumstances and are very vulnerable to exploitation and violence. They lack vital services such as education and healthcare because they are marginalized hence, they are deprived of their right to education because they work to support themselves or their families, so a lot of red tape and bureaucracy will be needed to try to get them into school. Very often the public are uninformed about these children, and they instinctively judge and cast aspersions on them. This book presents a clear understanding about some of the issues that street children encounter daily. With the use of existing literature, it tries to provide a definition and quantify the number of street children globally. It explains the difference between children "on" and "of" the streets and highlights some of the notions of street culture and child abuse. It is the firm view that if the public are more cognizant of the reasons why these children live on the streets, they may be more compassionate. This book does not evoke sensationalism but tries as far as possible to create an awareness of the lifestyle of street children.

Street Children are the casualties of economic growth, war, poverty, loss of traditional values, domestic violence, physical and mental abuse. Every Street Child has a reason for being on the streets. While some children are lured by the promise of excitement and freedom, majority are pushed onto the street by desperation and realization that they have nowhere else to go. In many countries Street Children are named after their main survival activities. What is obvious is that Street Children are poverty stricken and their needs and problems are a result of wanting to meet basic needs for survival. They go through the struggle of providing themselves with basic things such as food, shelter, heath and clothing. Providing targeted interventions that meet the needs of Street Children requires an understanding of who they are, what they need, what they do and how they can be identified. (Shukla P.C., Street Children and the asphalt life. 2005)

Who are the homeless children in America and what do we know about them? How does their being homeless affect them and society in general? What′s being done to help them? What About America′s Homeless Children? takes a multifaceted look at the growing, disturbing problem of children (including infants) in homeless families and abandoned and runaway children in America. The author examines the social factors that create homeless situations of children and personal and educational problems that can result from it. The health risks to this population, including unsanitary living conditions, poor nutrition, physical assault, and lack of access to health care are also explored. Author Paul G. Shane brings the problems and effects of homelessness to a personal level by presenting ethnographic case studies of individual children in urban shelters, families in a shelter program, and people who "survived" a homeless youth experience. The history of programs, both governmental and nongovernmental, and government policies for homeless youth are also examined. The book concludes with recommendations for policies and programs that can prevent homelessness for children. Human service professionals and policymakers who deal with children and families as well as those in the fields of public health, policy studies, and clinical and counseling psychology will find this book a stimulating summary of research findings and implications about this vulnerable population.