International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

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Age And Gender as Determinants of Street Children’s Self-Esteem and Risk Attitude

Open access
The purpose of this study was to determine the self-esteem and risk attitudes of street children in Lagos metropolis. The study examined whether there were differences in self-esteem and risk taking attitudes based on gender and age. The sample consisted of 249 street children: 132 males and 117 females. Three instruments were used to gather data: a self-esteem rating scale, risk attitude scale and measure of street child status identification scale. The data were analyzed using a t-test and one way ANOVA. The findings showed that street children had poor self esteem and inclined to risk taking attitude. There were no significant differences in self-esteem and risk-taking attitudes based on age and gender. The study concluded by emphasizing the need to incorporate street children into the normal system like school system. It recommended sports as a good avenue where these children would be able to make use of their risk- taking attitudes