Background: A widespread global risk for children is homelessness, often caused by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and leading to dire living conditions. Children may be compelled to live and work on the streets because of economic, social and psychological factors. Knowledge of the patterns of ACEs and their association with homelessness remains unknown in South Africa.
Aim: The study explores the patterns of ACEs contributing to childhood homelessness in South Africa to identify immediate causes and underlying factors that sustain the issue.
Method: A qualitative document analysis was used as the primary method to review and interpret relevant academic publications. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, providing a structured approach to organising, categorising and examining the material, enabling the identification of key patterns and themes that guided the study's interpretation.
Results: The study identified push and pull factors such as family dysfunction, substance use, street culture, peer influence and poverty that shape child displacement and contribute to pathways into homelessness.
Conclusion: It was evident that family challenges, abuse and poverty push children from unsafe homes, while peer influence and street culture pull them into prolonged street life. Addressing the push-pull factors associated with ACEs requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the reasons why children leave their homes.
Contribution: This article explores ACEs leading to child homelessness and offers insights for families, communities and policymakers to reduce the issue in South Africa.
Keywords: adverse childhood experiences; homeless; homeless children; pull; push; substance use.
© 2025. The Author.