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Understanding runaway teens
1Denver and Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing, Denver, CO, USA. martinezRJ@msn.com
Summary
Teenage runaways often flee to gain control, forming new bonds for survival. However, running away can become a habit, highlighting the need for safer alternatives for at-risk youth.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Psychology
Background:
- Millions of teenagers run away annually, facing significant physical and emotional risks.
- In 2002, an estimated 1.6 million U.S. youth aged 12-17 were identified as runaways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the phenomenon of running away from the perspective of teenagers.
- To identify reasons for running, safety strategies, and factors influencing the cessation of running behavior.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative exploratory study.
- Sample comprised primarily ethnic minority youth in a Midwestern inner-city detention center.
Main Results:
- Running away was a strategy for teens to gain control over their lives.
- New affiliations were formed to meet safety and sustenance needs.
- Experience taught that running does not solve problems, and the behavior could become habitual.
Conclusions:
- Running away is a complex behavior often stemming from a desire for control.
- There is a critical need for safer alternatives for youth unable to live at home.