Progressive Research Journal of Arts and Humanities (PRJAH) Vol. 4, No. 1, 2022 ISSN: 2707-7314 A Qualitative Exploration of Street Children Life in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the light of Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory Adnan Ashraf 1 *, Muhammad Ibrar 2 and Faseeh Ullah 3 Abstract The number of street children is increasing at alarming rate in the country. The several composite factors drive these children to the street life where they are confronted with the numerous threats. This study proposed to explore the root causes alongside the risks connected with street life. A qualitative study design was used to interview 50 street children from 5 hotspot sites of Peshawar, which includes Haji Camp Adda, Gulbahar, Karhano Market, University Town and Firdous Bazaar. This study is based on Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory focusing on the quality and context of the child's environment. There are two types of street children available, on and off the Street children. The determinants included strict parenting style, orphan by father, large family size and backing family. The negative attitude of society, physical and sexual abuse, weather conditions, health and hygiene and long working hours are the high rank factors. Such the challenges and exposure adversely affect child personality and development. Constitution guaranteed basic rights of free and compulsory education and a dire need to provide a safe and protected environment with a comprehensive social rehabilitation and reintegration program for street children. Keywords: Street children; On the Street; Off the Street; Ecological system; Threats. 1. Introduction Children are the vital assets of any country; they are the forthcoming nations. The fate of a nation depends right on in what way its children are raised to achieve the wants of its society (Bhargava, 2003). Children are that segment of a society who are dependent on others rather than independent (Nasir, Khalid, & Shoukat, 2014). According to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) “any boy or girl below the age of 18 years is a child”. This fundamental mark based on an age is agreed by the United Nations (UN), which clearly called that population below the age of 18 years around the world will be called children. Barnett states that street children who apply a significant quantity of their period on the street to arrange food for themselves and families, and are 1 Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. 2 Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. 3 Department of Psychology Islamia College Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. *)Corresponding Author. Email: adnanashraf.1@hotmail.com