Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya
Authors: Gayapersad, A., Embleton, L., Shah, P., Kiptui, R., Ayuku, D. and Braitstein, P.
Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect
Volume: 139
eISSN: 1873-7757
ISSN: 0145-2134
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803
Abstract:Background: The leading causes of street involvement worldwide are poverty, family conflict, and abuse. A common misconception is that street involvement is due to delinquency, a belief leading to social exclusion and social inequality for children in street situations (CSS). Exploring community perceptions of CSS and the reproduction of social difference and inequalities can help reduce stigma and discrimination. Objective: To explore how stigma and discrimination of CSS was produced and reproduced in specific contexts of culture and power. Participants and setting: Social actors including CSS, healthcare providers, children's officers, and police officers in western Kenya. Methods: Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma, this qualitative study explored the stigmatization processes that take shape in specific contexts of culture and power. We conducted 41 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions with a total of 100 participants. Results: CSS were often labeled “chokoraa” or garbage picker, a label linked to undesirable characteristics constituting “evils” in society and stereotyped beliefs that they were “delinquents,” reinforcing their “otherness” and devalued social status. CSS experienced individual and structural discrimination leading to exclusion from social and economic life. Conclusion: CSS were stigmatized when labeled, set apart, and linked to negative characteristics leading to their experience of status loss and discrimination. CSS's differentness and devalued status served to limit their access to societal resources and deemed them unworthy of equal rights. Interventions involving various social actors are needed to challenge negative stereotypes, reduce stigma, and uphold CSS's human rights.
Source: Scopus
Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya.
Authors: Gayapersad, A., Embleton, L., Shah, P., Kiptui, R., Ayuku, D. and Braitstein, P.
Journal: Child Abuse Negl
Volume: 139
Pages: 104803
eISSN: 1873-7757
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803
Abstract:BACKGROUND: The leading causes of street involvement worldwide are poverty, family conflict, and abuse. A common misconception is that street involvement is due to delinquency, a belief leading to social exclusion and social inequality for children in street situations (CSS). Exploring community perceptions of CSS and the reproduction of social difference and inequalities can help reduce stigma and discrimination. OBJECTIVE: To explore how stigma and discrimination of CSS was produced and reproduced in specific contexts of culture and power. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Social actors including CSS, healthcare providers, children's officers, and police officers in western Kenya. METHODS: Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma, this qualitative study explored the stigmatization processes that take shape in specific contexts of culture and power. We conducted 41 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions with a total of 100 participants. RESULTS: CSS were often labeled "chokoraa" or garbage picker, a label linked to undesirable characteristics constituting "evils" in society and stereotyped beliefs that they were "delinquents," reinforcing their "otherness" and devalued social status. CSS experienced individual and structural discrimination leading to exclusion from social and economic life. CONCLUSION: CSS were stigmatized when labeled, set apart, and linked to negative characteristics leading to their experience of status loss and discrimination. CSS's differentness and devalued status served to limit their access to societal resources and deemed them unworthy of equal rights. Interventions involving various social actors are needed to challenge negative stereotypes, reduce stigma, and uphold CSS's human rights.
Source: PubMed
Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya.
Authors: Gayapersad, A., Embleton, L., Shah, P., Kiptui, R., Ayuku, D. and Braitstein, P.
Journal: Child abuse & neglect
Volume: 139
Pages: 104803
eISSN: 1873-7757
ISSN: 0145-2134
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803
Abstract:Background
The leading causes of street involvement worldwide are poverty, family conflict, and abuse. A common misconception is that street involvement is due to delinquency, a belief leading to social exclusion and social inequality for children in street situations (CSS). Exploring community perceptions of CSS and the reproduction of social difference and inequalities can help reduce stigma and discrimination.Objective
To explore how stigma and discrimination of CSS was produced and reproduced in specific contexts of culture and power.Participants and setting
Social actors including CSS, healthcare providers, children's officers, and police officers in western Kenya.Methods
Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma, this qualitative study explored the stigmatization processes that take shape in specific contexts of culture and power. We conducted 41 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions with a total of 100 participants.Results
CSS were often labeled "chokoraa" or garbage picker, a label linked to undesirable characteristics constituting "evils" in society and stereotyped beliefs that they were "delinquents," reinforcing their "otherness" and devalued social status. CSS experienced individual and structural discrimination leading to exclusion from social and economic life.Conclusion
CSS were stigmatized when labeled, set apart, and linked to negative characteristics leading to their experience of status loss and discrimination. CSS's differentness and devalued status served to limit their access to societal resources and deemed them unworthy of equal rights. Interventions involving various social actors are needed to challenge negative stereotypes, reduce stigma, and uphold CSS's human rights.Source: Europe PubMed Central