The concept of globalization is often associated with the interconnectedness of time and space (Abrahamson, 2004, p. 174). While globalization has diverse effects on different segments of society, the experiences of the poor and marginalized are often overlooked. Zygmaunt Bauman's distinction between the privileged "tourists" and the disadvantaged "vagabonds" sheds light on this dichotomy (Bauman, 1998, pp. 77). In this study, we examine the lives of vulnerable groups, such as children living on urban streets and homeless youths, who resemble Bauman's "vagabonds" (Jacobsen, 2001, pp. 173). These groups, with limited mobility, rely on their urban street environments for survival, facing the confines of poverty and marginalization within the larger context of globalization (Bauman, 2001, pp. 116).
These vulnerable groups, often referred to as the "underclass," face a range of challenges and social issues. They may experience unemployment, teenage pregnancies, involvement in prostitution, addiction to substances, or engagement in street crimes (Bauman, 1998, pp. 38). Bauman's exploration of the theme of the criminalization of the poor in his work "Consumerism and the New Poor" (1998) further emphasizes these struggles.
Guy Standing's concept of the "precariat" in the new century aligns closely with Bauman's notion of the "underclass" (Standing, G. 2014, pp. 10). Street children, growing up with a sense of relative deprivation, anxiety, anomie, alienation, and anger, find themselves on the margins of society (Standing, 2014, pp. 10). Their precarious position is a result of societal factors such as lack of education, proper nutrition, clothing, and healthcare (Standing, 2014, pp. 10). This leads to their resentment and rejection of the mainstream political establishment, giving rise to a sense of alienation and societal disaffection (Bauman, Z., 2001).
Johan Galtung's Theory of Structural Violence provides further insight into the violence experienced within migrated urban societies and states. Structural violence, characterized by its cyclical nature, encompasses various forms of violence, including direct and cultural violence, resulting in the oppression of specific groups by others (Galtung, 1990). Migrant street children in urban areas are affected by structural violence through limited access to essential services, deliberate chaos, and disempowerment (Macassa, G., et al., 2021). This paper employs Galtung's Theory of Structural Violence to analyze the root causes of street children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, following Galtung's Development approach, which aims to improve human well-being (Galtung, 2005).
To determine whether Dhaka city experiences a significant number of victimized children due to sociopolitical violence and socioeconomic inequality (Rahman, R., et al., 2018) whether the deaths of street children are a result of abuse and neglect (Yelderman, L. A., Wood, S., & Summers, A., 2022), and whether rural-urban migration leads to extreme poverty and suffering among children (Ho, 2007), Galtung's assumptions of violence can be examined within the context of life and death, health and illness, prosperity and poverty, and peace and turmoil (Weber, I., Gianolla, C., & Sotero, L., 2022). Moreover, an examination of deprivation among the lives of street children (Fantahun, T., & Taa, B., 2022) prompts critical reflection on cultural, political, economic, and social practices.
The impact of globalization on vulnerable urban children, particularly street children, unveils a complex web of socio-economic and political factors. Through Bauman's and Standing's conceptual lenses, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these marginalized groups. Galtung's Theory of Structural Violence further elucidates the underlying power dynamics and oppression experienced by migrant street children. By critically analyzing violence and deprivation, we can strive for a more inclusive and equitable society that addresses the needs of these vulnerable children.