NCJ Number
177043
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 33 Issue: 131 Dated: Fall 1998 Pages: 619-627
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of a qualitative study of 26 teenaged runaways, whose behavior is viewed from the perspective of the teenagers themselves.
Abstract
These findings challenge the popular notions that runaways are incorrigible delinquents who want to leave home, that the decision is impulsive, and that they hope never to return. Rather, many of the teenagers in this study left home in search of freedom from what they considered abusive treatment, whether physical, sexual, or emotional. Running away was their "last resort" and they had struggled with the decision to do it. Running away was not necessarily an irreparable break with the family; many of the young people hoped for reconciliation. Running away was a dynamic emotional experience for these youths, which reflected changes in their social bonds with family, peers and adults in the educational, legal and medical systems. Those in positions of authority should take responsibility not only for protecting runaway teenagers, but also for providing them with ways to exercise their independence in normative ways, and a means of reconnecting to those who can offer nurturing relationships. References