Street Children and Beggars in Makassar City: Adaptive Policies in Reducing Urban Social Problems

Objectives: Makassar City is facing an increase in street children and beggars, which requires in-depth understanding and appropriate policies for effective handling. This research aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding the dynamics and challenges of handling street children and beggars in Makassar City and provide adaptive policy recommendations appropriate to the local context. Methods: This research uses a phenomenological approach to understand the meaning behind the phenomenon of street children and beggars in Makassar City from the perspective of policy implementers and the communities involved. The research process involves methodological planning, orientation to research objects and subjects, and exploration of data in the field, which is analyzed using Nvivo 12 Plus software to find patterns and relationships between the revealed aspects. Results: This study reveals a significant increase in the number of street children and beggars in Makassar City from 2022 to 2023, with variations in distribution indicating the need for a specific and targeted approach. The dominant factors influencing their emergence include economic instability, family conflict, limited access to education, the influence of a hostile social environment, and lack of access to health and social services. Although the government has made various efforts, obstacles such as limited resources, lack of coordination between agencies, low community participation, and weak law enforcement remain significant. Conclusions: This study recommends holistic and sustainable adaptive policies, focusing on inclusive economic programs, protection, and rehabilitation, inclusive education, creating a positive social environment, and increasing community coordination and participation to create a safe and supportive environment for children.