Teenage Runaways

The Statistics

One million is a big number when talking about teens on the streets. Unfortunately this count is not far from reality when it comes to teenage runaways and the struggles that many families face when it comes to conflict with a young member of their household.

Runaways, unlike other problems affecting youth, do not seem to come from a particular racial population, social class, or religious sect. Runaways are sometimes driven away from home in order to escape abuse, however more often than not they are driven away because of emotion they have not yet learned to handle in an adult manner.

Usually, a teen will run away after having a big argument with mom or dad and will escape to a trusted friend's house for a few days. Teens who flee their current situation often are running off of angry adrenaline, and thus do not have a solid plan as to where to go or what to do to support themselves. This is why nine out of ten teenagers usually go back home on their own or are brought back by law officials within a month.

The Risks

The problem with kids that strike out on their own is they still feel that youthful invincibility. In other words, teenage runaways do not often realize what sort of dangers they may be susceptible to.

Very few teenage runaways leave with the intention of getting involved heavily with drugs, burglary, or even prostitution, but oftentimes this becomes the case. Suddenly their home life can seem like a fairy tale compared to the "family" and lifestyle they have made for themselves on the street.

With STDs and other issues running rampant in today's world, it is important our society work together to help teenage runaways get the help they need and teach them how to make better choices.

The Options

Teenage runaway shelters are prominent in most cities, which is one way society has responded to this adolescent crisis. Young people can stay at these facilities for a few days up to a few weeks until things either blow over at home or they find a more permanent and safe solution. Some shelters will work with the teenagers to find relative placements or other safe homes where the teen can go if returning to their parents is just not a realistic option.

Teen runaway hotlines are another way that non-profits are reaching out to troubled kids looking for a solution to their problems. The National Runaway Switchboard is one of the largest of these hotlines, helping out young people every day. From being a listening ear to helping figure out living situations, the Runaway Switchboard is available to youth 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Reaching out to teens who are on the brink of leaving is a huge part of this organization's mission, by preventing more kids from appearing on the street through message boards and other online forums where they can vent and find comfort in a community.

Everything is anonymous, and so is a phone call to the switchboard if you would like it to be. The issue is not that teens don't want to listen to adults; it is that they sometimes need an adult outside of the home environment who is willing to listen to them. Outreach programs all over the map are succeeding at this.

What to Do If You Have a Teenage Runaway

If you are a parent who has a teen that has run away, there are some steps you can take to help bring them back and find some resolution. The first thing to do is to call 911 as soon as you discover your teenager is missing. Many people believe there is a 24-48 hr. waiting period before you can file a missing persons report. However, this is most definitely not the case, especially when it comes to minors.

When calling, be prepared to report your teen's name, date of birth, height, weight, identifying features such as glasses, braces, piercings, etc., and the clothes you last saw him or her wearing.

If you feel your teen is about to runaway, or has recently returned from a few days away, consider suggesting counseling or a family meeting on his or her terms. Your teenager may simply need someone to listen and understand his or her thoughts and feelings.

Try to dig down into your memories and remember how it felt to be that age - grown up, but not quite. You may be able to connect to your teenager more than you think.