Dreams beyond the Pavement

Le résumé fourni par la source

This study explores the career aspirations of 231 street children in Abeokuta, Nigeria, situating their ambitions within the broader dynamics of urban poverty, resilience, and social mobility. Using a descriptive survey design, the research examined demographic factors, motivational orientations, and occupational goals. Findings reveal that intermediate careers such as mechanics, trading, and policing accounted for the largest share (40.7%), while professional careers, including teaching, medicine, and law, represented 31.6 per cent. Skilled and unskilled manual roles were less frequent, reflecting a preference for socially valued and economically viable occupations. Motivational analysis showed that children balanced intrinsic drivers such as passion and social recognition with extrinsic needs of income and survival. Education and stable living arrangements emerged as critical enablers of ambitious aspirations. The study concludes that recognizing and supporting the career visions of street children through education, vocational training, and inclusive urban planning can transform vulnerability into opportunity and foster sustainable development.

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