THE FEMALE STREET CHILDREN OF RIO-DE-JANEIRO - A QUALITATIVE STUDY OFTHEIR BACKGROUNDS

A study of female street children using qualitative methodology reveal ed a family background of poverty, neglect, and violence as key factor s in girls taking to the streets. Lack of any form of services, either social or medical, which could provide a safety net around dysfunctio ning families was striking. The role of Maternal and Child Health Serv ices in addressing the problem of street children is discussed.