BajaNomad

New Laws Regarding Street Children

CaboRon - 6-3-2009 at 07:22 AM

This Seems Like A Simplistic Solution for the Street Children

Mexico Considers 'Ban' on Street Children
Sara Miller Llana - Christian Science Monitor

New law would require officials to move street kids into schools or other programs – or face a $420-per-child fine.Mexico City - Children selling gum or washing windshields in the streets of Mexico are as ubiquitous as traffic lights.

But a new proposal here would forbid the presence of street children in cities and towns across the country.

Under a proposed modification of a federal child protection law, state and municipal authorities would be required to round up kids living or working on the streets and place them in the care of social service agencies. Authorities who fail to do so would face fines.

The proposal, now being studied in congressional commissions, could be modified, and a final vote is months away. But it is already garnering a strong reaction among children's rights advocates.

Supporters of the change say it finally turns attention to society's most vulnerable, attempting to provide children a dignified life of classrooms, after-school activities, and ample playtime.

But for critics, this move to round up street children is too simplistic. It fails to address the complex roots of the problem and, at worst, is an effort to simply sweep the presence of poverty under the rug, they say.

"It's another attempt to lock children up and clean the city of a social problem, as has been tried here and in the rest of Latin America over the decades," says Dolores Munozcano Skidmore, a sociologist who studies street children at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

How big is the problem?

The term street children includes those who are homeless, as well as those who live with their families but work to supplement family incomes. Their presence in Mexico has grown with the decades, in tandem with migration from the countryside to the cities.

According to Mexico's National Agency for Family Development, in a 2004 study carried out with UNICEF, some 108,917 children are at risk, living on the streets in Mexico. Mexico's national statistics office estimates that 3.6 million children (under the age of 18) work, and of those, 41.5 percent do not attend school.

Since 1992, children are required by law to attend school through ninth grade. But many still drop out before the age of 15.

"In both rural and urban areas," according to the sponsors of the proposal – Sen. Mario López Valdez and Sen. Adolfo Toledo Infanzón – "child exploitation has fully become the norm. Thousands of children have been obligated to abandon school to work."

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) senators say that the economic crisis – Mexico's economy is predicted to contract by 5.5 percent this year – will make the situation even more dire. In the state of Guerrero, for example, they cite national statistics showing that 202,000 children work to provide income to their families, and of those, over a quarter have dropped out of school.

A $421 fine per street kid?

The modified article would obligate authorities to send children under age 14 that they encounter on the streets to government social service agencies. The fine for not doing so is up to 100 days of minimum wage (5,500 pesos or $421).

It has drawn fierce criticism in Mexico. A group of 60 children's rights organizations sent a letter to the senators saying that their proposal "criminalizes poverty."

But Reynaldo Vieyra Marquez, director of the National Parents Union in Mexico, disagrees. "No one is blaming the kids," Mr. Vieyra Marquez says. "They are the victims; it is commendable that someone is starting to put the focus on them."

Still, many say it does not address the economic reality that Mexican families face – in a country where over half the population lives in poverty.

"It is not that we want to see children working as a way of life," says David Espinosa, an education psychologist at the Interdisciplinary Center for Social Development (CIDES), one of 60 organizations that signed the letter against the proposal, which was introduced earlier this month.

CIDES offers classes to at-risk children to bolster their formal studies. Many of them miss class for their jobs. "They have an economic necessity to help their families," Mr. Espinosa says. "The politicians want to create a fictitious city, where they say poverty does not exist."

Selling food at a subway station

Working has been a reality for teenager Eleuteria Dominguez for as long as she can remember. At a recent day at CIDES, she goes through drills with her classmates on what to do in case of an earthquake – a practical lesson that includes a grammar and spelling exercise meant to reinforce lessons at school. She, her three siblings, and her mother sell food at a subway station – mostly on weekends, she says. "Our father doesn't help much," she says. "I like to help my mom."

This is not the government's first attempt to get children off the streets, and in various cities across the country, local officials already do so.

In 2000, Mexico launched a program called "From the Street to Life," to bring together the government and various nonprofits to address the problems of street children. The government has also launched an incentive program to keep children in classrooms, paying families monthly allowances if their children stay in school.

Click here to read about a similar program in Brazil.

In the 1990s, especially as street children began using drugs and getting caught up in gangs, governments across the region, from Brazil to Central America, relied on a policy of "sweep the streets." "The tendency has been for governments in Latin America to hide or deny the problem," says Uche Ewelukwa, an associate professor of law at the University of Arkansas who has written on street children's rights. But she says such programs, even when touted as a security measure, are often misguided. "If you take children off of the street, more will come onto the street."

Ms. Munozcano Skidmore says such programs have failed because there are neither the resources nor the understanding of the complexities of why children end up living or working on the streets. Many children are not merely homeless or working for money, for instance. Many have long gotten caught up in organized crime webs, are drug users, or have been forced into prostitution. Some don't attend school because they do not perceive that formal education will offer them any benefit; instead they opt to work as informal vendors. Many sent to social service organizations simply escape the next day.

Sen. Guillermo Tamborrel Suárez, of the ruling Nacional Action Party (PAN) and head of the commission for vulnerable groups studying the proposal, says he is committed to getting children off the streets. "Each child has a right to live in a family, a right to health, a right to eduction," he says. But he says he would like to see the language modified to include a case-by-case study of each child's needs and a process of convincing those who can to return to school or home. "Assistance centers should be the last resort."

Woooosh - 6-3-2009 at 10:07 AM

It's too bad the proposed fine isn't more reasonable. When fines are that oppresive they don't get enforced. I have actually watched some street children grow into young adults over the years at the San Diego POE. It's sad that they make enough money day after day and year after year to make it a family tradition and even have more children. At least Mexcio street kids don't have it as bad as the Indian chidren portrayed in "Slumdog Millionarie- where the children are horribly mutilated in order to generate more money as beggars by the leaders. Well, at least I hope that doesn't happenin Mexico.

toneart - 6-3-2009 at 02:47 PM

On the surface, this seems idyllic, with the exception of the fines. The first thought that came to mind while reading was, the street children are visual symbols of an impoverished country. They want to sweep this visual manifestation of a deeper, causative problem under the rug. As I read further, I see that this is a major concern from opponents of the proposed new law. Children in the streets is a culture of its own, with strong tradition and necessity that is condoned by society as a whole.

It is a problem that has always existed in Mexico and one that must be addressed. Its about time! But where are the resources going to come from? What is going to replace the childrens' economic value to their poor families?

Furthermore, as the anti-street movement in Brazil intensified, vigilante groups and individuals began sweeps through cities to execute the street children. That is something we certainly don't want to see in Mexico. The murder mentality exists in Mexico but it is not exclusive to that country.

Woooosh - 6-3-2009 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
On the surface, this seems idyllic, with the exception of the fines. The first thought that came to mind while reading was, the street children are visual symbols of an impoverished country. They want to sweep this visual manifestation of a deeper, causative problem under the rug. As I read further, I see that this is a major concern from opponents of the proposed new law. Children in the streets is a culture of its own, with strong tradition and necessity that is condoned by society as a whole.

It is a problem that has always existed in Mexico and one that must be addressed. Its about time! But where are the resources going to come from? What is going to replace the childrens' economic value to their poor families?

Furthermore, as the anti-street movement in Brazil intensified, vigilante groups and individuals began sweeps through cities to execute the street children. That is something we certainly don't want to see in Mexico. The murder mentality exists in Mexico but it is not exclusive to that country.


It is disturbing that the street children have more value to their families on the streets begging today than the potential greater future income derived from them getting a good education tomorrow. This is a huge culture shift for Mexico and there are probably a hundred other countries that will never address this issue.

I think it's even more disturbing that most every intersection in San Diego has adult "war vets" doing basically the same thing. Every country has groups of people that slip (or get pushed) through the cracks. The USA doesn't have the will to offer the homeless and mentally ill out on the streets the support and life solutions they deserve. If the USA can buy GM, it should help it's vets from all wars. The current returning vets seem to be getting the least help IMO, and are displaying the most troubling anti-social behaviors we have ever seen as a result.

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by Woooosh]

woody with a view - 6-3-2009 at 05:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
On the surface, this seems idyllic, with the exception of the fines. The first thought that came to mind while reading was, the street children are visual symbols of an impoverished country. They want to sweep this visual manifestation of a deeper, causative problem under the rug. As I read further, I see that this is a major concern from opponents of the proposed new law. Children in the streets is a culture of its own, with strong tradition and necessity that is condoned by society as a whole.

It is a problem that has always existed in Mexico and one that must be addressed. Its about time! But where are the resources going to come from? What is going to replace the childrens' economic value to their poor families?

Furthermore, as the anti-street movement in Brazil intensified, vigilante groups and individuals began sweeps through cities to execute the street children. That is something we certainly don't want to see in Mexico. The murder mentality exists in Mexico but it is not exclusive to that country.


It is disturbing that the street children have more value to their families on the streets begging today than the potential greater future income derived from them getting a good education tomorrow. This is a huge culture shift for Mexico and there are probably a hundred other countries that will never address this issue.

I think it's even more disturbing that most every intersection in San Diego has adult "war vets" doing basically the same thing. Every country has groups of people that slip (or get pushed) through the cracks. The USA doesn't have the ability to offer the homeless and mentally ill out on the streets the support and life solutions they deserve.


it's like some of the pangueros/commercial guys not respecting limits or seasons. live for today.... seems like a cultural issue.

as for what's more disturbing, next time you spend time in a jungle war zone and come home to loogies in the face you can tell me about about how disturbed you feel. i mean, pimp your child or, as an adult, live your life in your own little world....

gimme a break.

arrowhead - 6-3-2009 at 06:28 PM

This is NOT really what you think it is. One has to understand Mexico. In Mexico, laws are created to be obstacles. Bribes are paid to get around the laws and get things done. When Mexico creates a new law like this, it is really just creating a new profit center for some bureaucrat. If they pass the law, the delegado in charge of street children will have a little franchise going getting $100 pesos per kid in bribes from the poorest of the poor to look the other way while their children beg on the street.

If Mexico really cared about street children, they would just do like in the US, have truant officers pick up the kids and take them to school and make the parents explain why they are not in school. They would not treat street children as a revenue source by putting a fine on them.

toneart - 6-3-2009 at 10:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by arrowhead
This is NOT really what you think it is. One has to understand Mexico. In Mexico, laws are created to be obstacles. Bribes are paid to get around the laws and get things done. When Mexico creates a new law like this, it is really just creating a new profit center for some bureaucrat. If they pass the law, the delegado in charge of street children will have a little franchise going getting $100 pesos per kid in bribes from the poorest of the poor to look the other way while their children beg on the street.

If Mexico really cared about street children, they would just do like in the US, have truant officers pick up the kids and take them to school and make the parents explain why they are not in school. They would not treat street children as a revenue source by putting a fine on them.


Perhaps!

You are correct in that we react from trying to filter this through our culture's collective brain. If such a change were to successfully transpire, it would be huge; a new paradigm in a new world Mexico.

poor lil children :(

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 01:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arrowhead
This is NOT really what you think it is. One has to understand Mexico. In Mexico, laws are created to be obstacles. Bribes are paid to get around the laws and get things done. When Mexico creates a new law like this, it is really just creating a new profit center for some bureaucrat. If they pass the law, the delegado in charge of street children will have a little franchise going getting $100 pesos per kid in bribes from the poorest of the poor to look the other way while their children beg on the street.

If Mexico really cared about street children, they would just do like in the US, have truant officers pick up the kids and take them to school and make the parents explain why they are not in school. They would not treat street children as a revenue source by putting a fine on them.


I agree with some of what you say but the situation is not that simple. I don't know about Baja, but for poor indigenous kids in parts of southern Mexico, the kids don't have money for required or needed items such as uniforms, shoes, a sweater or jacket, (even more than a pair of decent underwear or a bra for older girls), books and supplies, a lunch, snack, or beverages, basic hygeine items, etc. Many may have lice. Also they need to prove they're in good physical health but have no money for medical or dental care, eye-care and glasses, etc. Plus the family depends on the income. The parents may be unemployed, single moms or widows, or the father is often in jail, a mean boracho, or has 'disappeared' as in maybe killed or kidnapped. The kids are cute and some tourists will buy their trinkets. It's usually a case of no-workie
no-eatie. The family could starve without the few pitiful pesos the kids earn.

Yes, I pity and love those kids. I befriended some of them in Oaxaca City and helped them out a little during my visits. 40% 0f the kids from that group die before their 5th birthdays due to starvation, malnutrition, diarrhea or intestinal parasites, dirty water, etc.

The problem with street children having to work and/or being homeless, etc., is very sad. If you ever wanna cry your eyes out, read in depth about the street kids of Latin America, including the murders in Brazil as mentioned by a previous poster.

This is a very complex problem. :(

mtgoat666 - 6-4-2009 at 06:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
This Seems Like A Simplistic Solution for the Street Children

Mexico Considers 'Ban' on Street Children
Sara Miller Llana - Christian Science Monitor

New law would require officials to move street kids into schools or other programs – or face a $420-per-child fine.Mexico City - Children selling gum or washing windshields in the streets of Mexico are as ubiquitous as traffic lights.

But a new proposal here would forbid the presence of street children in cities and towns across the country.



why didn't we think about that before? the best way to eliminate poverty is to make it illegal -- poverty would disappear overnight. i will ask my congressma to pass a law that makes us all rich.