The Self-Concept of Street Children's Mothers in Understanding the Meaning of Life: A Phenomenological Study in Indonesia

Abstract

This study is a daily experience of a life phenomenon. In this paper, we present how the self-concept of street children's mothers, who earn a living by allowing their children to work as beggars or street singers at the crossroads in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. It used a qualitative approach with phenomenological method to explore the self-concept of street children's mothers. The data was obtained through observation and interview with selected respondent, namely the mothers who have children in the 6 to 10 age group and who earn a living on the street and provide financial support for their family. The results suggested that the mothers of street children feel like their life is always underprivileged, causing unsatisfactory feeling in their own selves. It is considered as a fair occurrence when their children work on the streets, even though the mothers realize that such phenomenon is not right, nor suitable for children.