Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
PhD in Sociology of Iranian Social Issues, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2
PhD student in Iranian social issues, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
10.22059/ijsp.2026.401132.671340
Abstract
The phenomenon of “working and street children” is a prominent manifestation of exploitation and social inequality and has profound social, psychological, and educational consequences for children and their families. In Iran, this group includes children from the gypsy-western community, garbage collectors, street vendors, and workers in bakeries and production workshops. Conventional support policies, such as temporary collection and housing, have had limited results due to the lack of an empowering approach and limited sustainability, and the insufficient use of community-based models is one of the main shortcomings in this area.
The present study, with a qualitative phenomenological approach, examined the experience of implementing the pilot “Comprehensive Document for Reducing Social Harms of Working Children” with an empowering and community-based approach in Qarchak County (2019–2020). The study field included working and street children in the city and subordinate areas, especially villages and bakeries. Purposive sampling was conducted based on theoretical saturation and diversity of participants, and 30 people were selected, including 16 social facilitators and 14 working and street children.
The findings showed that the program had significant positive effects at the individual, family, and community levels: improving children's skills and self-confidence, reducing social isolation, preventing school dropout, increasing family participation and interaction, and raising awareness of the local community about children's rights and needs. The experience of this program emphasized that genuine empowerment, coupled with a community-based approach, is the key to the sustainability of social interventions and long-term impact.
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