The Perceived Psychosocial Dilemma Of Street Hawking On Children'S Wellbeing: Evidence From Benin- City

The increasing nature of street trading phenomenon in Nigeria is a huge problem, given theimpacts on child hawkers' health, education, social and psychological well-being and the society at large. This study utilized the quantitative research method to examine street hawking and the psychosocial impacts on child hawkers' well-being. It adopts a descriptive survey, using a structured questionnaire. The population of this study consists of all children hawking on the streets in the Benin City, Nigeria. The simple random sampling procedure was used to select the sample size of 220 children hawking good items in New-Benin and Ring-Road/Oba Market areas, which are the central commercial areas in Benin City. To arrive at this sample, one hundred and ten child hawkers were randomly selected from each of two areas, which give a total of 220 participants. The questionnaire consists of a twenty item and four point Likert type statements. The findings from this study indicate that there is a link between street hawking and children's health related issues, educational attainment social deprivation and behavioural problems. Recommendations are made, to parents given that the impacts of street hawking projects multiple challenges for children's psychosocial well-being. The Government and the helping professionals/organization are also encouraged to be prompt in response to the phenomenon of child-street hawking.