Street Children of Colombia

Abstract

The characteristics of street children were examined from participant observational data, and from standardized psychological test scores from a sample of 56 male, Colombian street children who ranged in age from 7-16. The Kohs Block Design measured the children's intelligence, the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test and the Bender Gestalt were used to measure the children's emotional and neurological functioning. The data showed the children were functioning with adequate mental health. Two different preadolescent styles of street life were presented and their peer groups were explained. The present study illustrated how street life altered the children's developmental sequence, but provided them with adequate coping skills. The study demonstrated how child development was changed by personal and cultural circumstances.