Social Problems of Iran

Living on the Edge of Suspension: A Phenomenological Study of Street and Working Children in Yasouj City

Articles in Press

Authors

Siroos Ahmadi
Mostafa Amini

Yasouj University

Abstract
Millions of children worldwide engage in street labor instead of attending school, with a significant number involved in hazardous occupations. This complexity highlights the importance of understanding children’s lived experiences within specific social contexts. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of working children in the socio-cultural setting of Yasouj, to gain insight into their inner worlds and challenges. The study utilized a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. Ten working children were selected as participants through purposive sampling. Data were collected through via in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s technique. Analysis revealed five core themes: 1) Autonomy and competence: the struggle to achieve independence and protect oneself from humiliation. 2) Occupational vulnerability and hardship: enduring physical risks, traffic accidents, and street violence. 3) Social stigma and public hostility: facing cultural exclusion, labeling, and dehumanizing perceptions. 4) Family dynamics and supportive roles: taking on breadwinner or caregiver responsibilities due to poverty, illness, or unstable parental structures. 5) Aspirations and hope for advancement: using material and educational dreams as coping mechanisms for resilience and finding meaning in everyday struggles. The fundamental structure of these children’s lived experiences reflects a state of marginal suspension, where they are caught between family obligations and the desire for autonomy. These children simultaneously are both victims and agents; as structural constraints push them into street while they actively strive to maintain their dignity through street smartness and hope for a better future.

Keywords

Working children
lived experience
autonomy
Resilience
Social exclusion
Suspension
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Social Problems of Iran

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 April 2026

  • Receive Date 08 June 2026
  • Publish Date 21 April 2026