Construction of Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence in Stateless Children: Scoping Literature Review

Abstract

Statelessness, defined as the lack of citizenship, is a complex issue governed by international law. Factors contributing to statelessness include gaps in nationality, political policies, and individuals moving to countries at birth.. Stateless status can affect individuals of all ages, and children born to stateless parents are particularly vulnerable. This article explores the impact of self-confidence and self-esteem on the future preferences of stateless children. While international human rights instruments recognize basic rights for all, regardless of citizenship, many countries link citizenship to the full enjoyment of rights. Research methods employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to gather insights from previous studies. The results and discussion section highlights the negative impact of statelessness on self-esteem and self-confidence, with stateless individuals often feeling invisible and undervalued. The lack of citizenship not only undermines political and legal status but also tests the limits of self-confidence and self-esteem. The article also discusses the challenges faced by stateless children, such as legal instability, discrimination, limited access to services, identity uncertainty, violence, and exploitation. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges to protect the rights of stateless children, promote their self-confidence, and enable their holistic development. The article underscores the need for legal recognition, emotional support, education, legal protection, psychological education, and involvement in positive activities to enhance the self-confidence of stateless children.