Voices of Survival: A Sociological Exploration of Street Vendors Daily Life Experiences and Struggles

Abstract

This paper investigated the life experiences and challenges faced daily by street vendors. Street vending has become one of the significant sources of earnings for many. However, it also remains characterized by insecurity and intimidation on the streets. The paper employed a qualitative research design. The data was collected through in-depth interviews involving a sample of 14 street vendors to understand their working environment, ways to survive, and their daily life challenges. The results indicated that the vendors were facing the challenges associated with the threat of eviction and linguistic intimidation by the local and other influential persons in the community. Most of the respondents indicated that lack of recognition makes their job extremely difficult. The vendors, despite all the difficulties, still operate because street vending becomes their only source to satisfy their elementary household needs, which include food, housing, education, and health. The resilience to stress was also shown in the coping strategies demonstrated by the vendors, which include collective support among the vendors, flexible working hours, and adjustment to the urban environment. The paper argued that despite all these coping mechanisms, the resilience among vendors should be taken into consideration due to the need to address the issue.