NCJ Number
175136
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1998 Pages: 12-19
Date Published
1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the needs and expectations of Australia's homeless young adults.
Abstract
Throughout Australia, almost 100,000 teenagers and young adults experience an episode of homelessness annually, with 40,000 using government-funded, community-based services. Most of 63 young people interviewed regarding their life aspirations claimed they want to work, and three-quarters cited education, training and finding a job as the way to achieving their goals. However, while 71 percent of them were looking for work, 75 percent were not in any form of education or training. The young people left home because of violence or abuse, abandonment, or parental incapacity or illness. These findings have implications in four key policy areas: family violence and conflict; affordable housing for young people; education, training and work experience; and unemployment. Services in these areas are critical. The longer young people experience homelessness, the more they adapt to the homeless culture, lose their previous support networks, are excluded from mainstream society, and undertake risky behaviors resulting in declining personal health and well-being. Tables, figures, references