Why Do So Many Teenagers Run Away From Home?
SOME DETAILS.
"Some leave to escape a mother's death or a stepfather's sexual molestation, but many teens feel they are running away from parents who don't want them. Although stereotypes portray an anxious mother and father hovering near the phone for news, the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services says that about 40 percent of this country's homeless young people have parents who actually locked their children out of the house. These children, often called "throwaways," may come from families who just can't deal with adolescents, or don't have the money to support their family" (Goodman 1992 1). Ms. Goodman (1992) also says that drug and alcohol abuse by the teens is a big reason why they leave. "Forty-four percent leave because of other long-term problems such as drug-abusing, alcoholism, or stepfamily crisis" (Goodman 1002 1). In other words, it is not always the parents' fault.
One problem teenagers have at home these days is that both parents may be working. Mom and Dad aren't around much. They spend little time as a family. Often, an older sibling may have to take care of younger ones. So they have little free time to spend with their friends. Absence of a parent does not make the heart grow fonder. Oftentimes a runaway will complain that he or she is not loved any more. Sometimes the problem has to do with money. They can't wear expensive clothes like some of their friends. They can't buy tickets to concerts, or CDs or DVDs, or go on dates. For many teens economic obstacles are hard to deal with. They feel they are victims. They believe the outside world is better. For some reason, running away makes them feel free, unsupervised, no curfew hours, homework, dress code, eating habits. For some teens, running away is a rebellion against adults and against authority. For some it is fear of consequences for something they have done (bad grades, taking something that didn't belong to them, breaking up with a boy- or girl-friend, even deciding they are gay or Lesbian is often a reason to run away. What can parents do? One simple answer is to communicate. Listen. Help. Understand. Try to solve the problem.
CONCLUSION:
Running away solves nothing. What many teens learn is that they are no safer on the streets than they were with their parents or guardians. They need to feel they "belong" and are safe at home. Together with adults, things can be worked out.
WORKS CITED:
Goodman, S. (1992) "The Real Life of a Runaway
Current Health 2. Stamford Ct:: May 1992.Vol.18, Iss. 9, pg. 1
No author listed: "Book review of Teenage Runaways: Broken Hearts and 'Bad Attitudes'". Adolescence, Winter 1999 v34 i136 p814
Published by Werner Haas
A freelance writer, marketing and advertising consultant for many years, and also recently published novel THE WASPS (Available on amazon.com) screenplays and TV pilots available, also co-writer of Hungarian... View profile
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77 Comments
Post a CommentWeeeWooo
wowowe thiss changed the way i look at life
i AM AdOPtED OR SUMthANG liK CiNdERAllA
Words from TAY??????? i rNNEd AWAY B4 Wit Mi StEPSiStA WhiCh i didNt REGREt it AN Still dONt bECUZ i hAV REASONS 4 WAt dA thANGZ i dO . . . .BTW RitE NA iM thiNKiN bOUt RUNNiN AWAY AGAiN bECUZ i CANt StANd dA PPl i liVE Wit WhiCh ARE Mi MOMMA , lil SiStA , biG bROthA . ANd Mi StEPdAd liVES Wit US 2 ANd Mi NEWbORN bROthA bUt thEY dONt MAKE ME WANNA RUNAWAY jUS Mi MOMMA lil SiStA N biG bROthA dO dEY tREAt ME liK i AM AdOPtED OR SUMthANG liK CiNdERAllA - -SO Y dO i NEEd 2 StAY if iM UNWANtEd i WOUld b bEttA Off bY Mi SElf , REAllY i fEEl liK Mi dAddY , StEPdAddY , OthA bROthAS N SiStAS , AN Mi bOifRiENRd R dA ONlY 1s WhO CARE bOUt ME!......your a moron TAY
running away will always make your life better, as a runaway myself, and knowing many other runaways. we live the life of freedom, as long as your smart!
im 16 and im on the lose i realy dont want to come back home
My mom invented running away and she invented me (:
WEll iM 14YRZ Old AN i hAV RANNEd AWAY B4 Wit Mi StEPSiStA WhiCh i didNt REGREt it AN Still dONt bECUZ i hAV REASONS 4 WAt dA thANGZ i dO . . . .BTW RitE NA iM thiNKiN bOUt RUNNiN AWAY AGAiN bECUZ i CANt StANd dA PPl i liVE Wit WhiCh ARE Mi MOMMA , lil SiStA , biG bROthA . ANd Mi StEPdAd liVES Wit US 2 ANd Mi NEWbORN bROthA bUt thEY dONt MAKE ME WANNA RUNAWAY jUS Mi MOMMA lil SiStA N biG bROthA dO dEY tREAt ME liK i AM AdOPtED OR SUMthANG liK CiNdERAllA - -SO Y dO i NEEd 2 StAY if iM UNWANtEd i WOUld b bEttA Off bY Mi SElf , REAllY i fEEl liK Mi dAddY , StEPdAddY , OthA bROthAS N SiStAS , AN Mi bOifRiENRd R dA ONlY 1s WhO CARE bOUt ME!
Theyve stated that in the end running away is most regretted and a heavy burden. The teen looks with these words to their friends, and their friends parents and often finds shelter. I think this is a good thing, and a tool to be used. To bypass the catostrophy is to bridge families and make friends.. If youre a busy parent encourage your child to reach out...Hopefully he/she is aware, moreover hopefully together you can be a support so that you can discern what is needed and what isnt.
I left home when I was 14, and I was essentially "thrown away" by my family. This article is about as far from the truth as one could get. I planned to leave ever since I was about eight or nine. My family had too many kids, not enough love, not enough money, too isolated, and I was not wanted. I can say this today b/c I am in my 40's and made good. I graduated valedictorian of my high school class, put myself through college, grad school and have a good job. I also am a person with a disability. I have not ever done a drug, pan handled or been on welfare. I worked and went to school. I have not had an easy life, but it's my own. Praise be to God who protects the poor. How many teen runaways did you talk to before you wrote this article?