NCJ Number
104970
Date Published
1986
Length
45 pages
Annotation
Within the context of a 1984 study of 149 adolescent runaways in Toronto, Canada, this booklet examines the incidence of running away, its causes and patterns, and intervention.
Abstract
Estimates of runaway rates range from 1.7 to 2.06 percent of youth 10 to 17 years old. The study of runaways indicates that, while runaways tend to see themselves positively, they have histories of poor academic performance; conflict-ridden family relationships; and a high incidence of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Their reasons for running include an unhappy life, verbal and physical abuse, substance abuse problems, and search for new experiences. Often these youth runaway, return home, and run away again. If this cycle of running away is to be broken, runaways will require careful assessment and intervention appropriate to their home situations and experiences on the street. In addition, advocacy, public education, and research are needed to create a more complete social response to the problem and a more positive future for runaways. Guidelines for parents of runaways are provided, and additional information on runaways is appended. 19 references.