NCJ Number
56451
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE OF THE RUNAWAY PROBLEM HAS CHANGED GREATLY SINCE THE LATE 1960'S. MORE SUCH ADOLESCENTS ARE FROM MINORITY FAMILIES, THERE ARE FEWER SHELTERS FOR THEM, AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS MAKE THEIR LOT DIFFICULT.
Abstract
THE PERCENTAGE OF TEENAGERS WHO RUN FROM THEIR HOMES WAS THE SAME IN 1977 AS IT WAS IN 1969, BUT THE SITUATIONS WHICH THESE ONE-HALF TO THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE WHO RUN FROM FACE SEEM TO BE MORE DESPERATE AND THE WORLD THEY FACE IS FAR LESS INVITING THAN IT WAS IN 1969. THE INCREASING FRAGMENTATION OF FAMILY LIFE HAVE PUT PARENTS UNDER A FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL STRAIN WHICH THEY TRANSMIT DIRECTLY TO THEIR CHILDREN. TWICE AS MANY RUNAWAYS COME FROM SINGLE PARENTS AS FROM TWO-PARENT HOMES. MANY FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN 'PUSHED OUT' AND UP TO 30 PERCENT REPORT SERIOUS INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT THEM BY THEIR PARENTS. THE ASSORTED POVERTY PROGRAMS OF THE EARLY 1970'S HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED AND THE COUNTERCULTURE WHICH ONCE ATTRACTED AND HOUSED SUCH YOUNG PEOPLE HAS DISAPPEARED. URBAN RUNAWAY HOUSES, WHICH ONCE SAW NO MORE THAN 10 TO 15 PERCENT MINORITY YOUTH ARE NOW WORKING WITH POPULATIONS THAT ARE MORE THAN 50 PERCENT MINORITY AND ARE SEEING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ENORMOUS MATERIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL HANDICAPS. THE PROBLEMS ARE PARTICULARLY ACUTE FOR GIRLS. ALTHOUGH THEY ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 41 PERCENT OF RUNAWAYS, THEY MAKE UP ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THOSE IN RUNAWAY CENTERS AND A MAJORITY HAVE BEEN RAPED, ARE ESCAPING FROM PROSTITUTION, OR HAVE BEEN IN EXPLOITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN. BOTH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION ARE FUNDING CENTERS FOR RUNAWAYS AND SOME MONEY IS AVAILABLE FROM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PROGRAMS. COMMUNITIES SHOULD USE THESE RESOURCES TO MEET THE CHALLENGE THESE YOUTH REPRESENT. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)