Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya

Allison Gayapersad; Lonnie Embleton; Pooja Shah; Reuben Kiptui; David Ayuku; Paula Braitstein

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803

Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya

Child Abuse Negl. 2023 May:139:104803. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Authors

Allison Gayapersad¹, Lonnie Embleton², Pooja Shah³, Reuben Kiptui³, David Ayuku⁴, Paula Braitstein⁵

Affiliations

¹ Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada.
² Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
³ Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
⁴ Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Behavioural Science, P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
⁵ Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada; Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya; Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya. Electronic address: paula.braitstein@utoronto.ca.

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.

Keywords: Children in street situations and inequality; Discrimination; Kenya; Qualitative research; Stigma; Sub-saharan Africa.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Concept Formation*
HIV Infections*
Humans
Kenya
Qualitative Research
Social Discrimination
Social Stigma
Stereotyping

Grants and funding

R01 HD060478/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States