How to deal with the ‘Batang Hamog’ and other street kids

By Marjorie Gorospe

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— There are ways to deal with the ‘Batang Hamog’ instead of losing your temper and confronting these children directly.

The ‘Batang Hamog’ is a notorious gang of street children from 7 to 12 years old often victimizing motorists around the metro.

As part of their modus operandi, a child knocks on car windows and distracts the driver, while the other gang members open the car door on the other side and steal anything within their reach.

Child psychologist Ali Ng Gui of the Door of Hope says instead of judging these kids right away, it is important that you understand first what they are going through.

Gui says most people have stereotyped these street children due to past experiences or because of the stigma of society towards these children. “What these kids have in common is that they live in dangerous conditions. They are often abandoned or they lack parental guidance and love,” Gui says.

The psychologist, who has  conducted studies on street children, adds that these children struggle for power and identity in the society, making them more vulnerable to becoming juvenile delinquents or undergo abuses like child labor or exploitation.

Given the chance, she says you can “reason out with these kids” in the way that they would understand. “Always start with a positive tone and positive reinforcement when they show flexibility or cooperation,” Gui says.

Gui notes that picking a fight with a street urchin is a waste of time. She adds that these kids search for sincerity and once they started conversing with you, it is important that you show your deepest interest as it can be their source of encouragement.

“They may be street children but they also yearn to succeed in life. As the saying goes,

they may be homeless but definitely they are not worthless,” Gui says.

She adds that the society should help “be open to helping them instead of criticizing and denouncing.”