Americas - Law, Urban Youth, Human Rights, Guatemala - Politics & Government
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Overview
Robbed of Humanity provides an in-depth look at the reality that children confront each day on Guatemala's streets. Beyond reporting the abuses that momentarily capture international headlines, this work analyzes the conditions that compel children to leave their homes, relationships they form on the streets, survival strategies they employ, and the near constant harassment and brutality they suffer from police and private citizens.Using more than 100 documented cases of abuse, Robbed of Humanity explores the motives behind this systematic mistreatment of street youth and examines the limited response of Guatemalans to these atrocities. This is considered within the context of their country's culture of terror and pervasive elite ideals and religious norms that discount the reality of destitute children. Robbed of Humanity contributes to an understanding of street children's lives through the riveting testimonies of the children themselves.
Editorials
Urban Latino
If you care about children, people, or your government's respect for human rights, read this book. Nancy Leigh Tierney's Robbed of Humanity: Lives of Guatemalan Street Children is a masterful marriage of academic information and gut-wrenching true stories. Don't be put off by the textbook-style title: it's a good, fast read, and these kids need you to know about them. The book's preface, written by Sister Alice Zachmann, admonishes the reader to respond to the stories with action ("The children of Guatemala do not want your tears . . .. Your energy is needed."). The devastating poverty and abuse endured by these smart, kind, funny children is worse than most of us could imagine.—Christy Damio
Book Details
Published
December 1, 1997
Publisher
St. Paul : Pangaea, 1997.
Pages
304
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780963018052