By despising social norms, the children want to strengthen their decision to leave social ties, which they appear not to need anymore. A new standard of life, with its own criteria and dangerous ingredients, replaces and challenges the old one. This new standard answers street children's needs in difficult circumstances and respects their private freedom. Of course, street children are very different from each other and not all fit the above image. However, this image of street children explains why they are so similar in both behaviors and attitudes regardless of the countries in which they live.
Many people think that the street-children problem mainly stems from poverty or family conflicts.
These reasons are correct, but not sufficient. Almost all of the children cannot or do not want to explain their motives except for saying that they want freedom and to live with their friends. And no child can explain why he or she appreciates freedom so highly. Thus, street children's reaction to society is instinctive rather than rational. Another trend is an attempt to romanticize the image of street children.