Abstract
On a global scale, the number of families with homeless children is growing. Foreign research shows that homelessness is linked to social adjustment problems. In the Czech Republic there are no surveys on social adjustment in the homeless children population. This article presents partial data from a research survey focused on the situation of homeless mothers with children residing in shelters. The article aims to find out how mothers residing with their children in homeless shelters in the city of Ostrava interpret the social adjustment of their children. The research strategy is qualitative, based on a participatory approach (cooperation with two peer researchers). 33 interviews and 6 focus groups were implemented as part of the research. The research findings also point to a close link between the situation of homelessness and social adjustment of homeless children in the Czech environment, namely as a result of the necessity of socialization in a specific environment with negative consequences on the parenting style and success in school of the children combined with their experience of domestic violence. The research findings imply in practice the need to apply the concept of critical reflexivity in social work with children from homeless shelters.
Highlights
The number of homeless families with children is the fastest growing population of homeless people (Powell, 2012)
The Salvation Army5 conducted a survey with service users in its shelters in 2015 (Salvation Army, 2016), and it emerged that 38.5% from the total number of service users were mothers
The aim of this article is to describe the situation of children from homeless shelters through the optics of their mothers' narratives in the context of social adjustment and, based on that, to give recommendations for the practice of social work with children from homeless shelters
Summary
The number of homeless families with children is the fastest growing population of homeless people (Powell, 2012). S. Conference of Mayors Report (2006) more than 40% of homeless people are families with children. The mentioned percentage of mothers with children corresponds with data from the Czech Republic. The Salvation Army conducted a survey with service users in its shelters in 2015 (Salvation Army, 2016), and it emerged that 38.5% from the total number of service users were mothers. In relation to worrying numbers of children growing up outside their natural social environment (i.e. homeless children) it is necessary to concentrate our attention to support their positive development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
