Causes and Problems of Juvenile Runaway - Research Paper Example

Why Juveniles run away and what should be done to them when they are caught Juvenile runaway is a common problem that is facing the society today. There are many causes of juvenile runaway that cuts across social and economic problems. Preventing juveniles from running away is a collective responsibility that each and everybody should be willing to make. Juveniles who are caught should be taken to rehabilitation centers, correction facilities or should be given counseling depend on the reason for runaways. Introduction Running away in juveniles can simply be described as an act whereby a juvenile leaves the services of the parent of guardian without their permission and goes into unknown places. The issue of children running away from their homes has become popular in recent time due to their ever-increasing numbers. It is estimated that about one and a half million juveniles go missing from their homes, of which, only less than 20% returns into their homes (Zhang, Antonio, David & Victor, 2007). They also assert that about 12% of the youths in the united states run away from their homes at least once before they become adults due to various reasons that shall be discussed below. Reasons for juveniles runaway Family life According to Chapple, Johnson & Whitbeck (2004), youths who have problems that are related to academic achievement, police contact, peer involvement shows high levels of juvenile run away. Most of the homes whereby juveniles run away are associated with limited supervision, limited help in schoolwork, limited opportunity to discuss personal problems and lack of emotional support in times of difficulties. Whenever there is limited support from family members, juveniles experience increased depression that leads to negative life that results to run away in search for a better environment to accommodate them. In some cases, families with high rates of runaway children are those whereby the parents are drug and alcohol addicts therefore they have less time to cater for the needs of their children (Sanna., Kimberly & Gregory, 2005). A high percentage of these families are those that give the children less social and economic support as they face the difficulties of growing up into adulthood. Some parents and guardians are known to abuse their children excessively, leading to lots of discomfort and subsequently runway in search of freedom in the streets or elsewhere (Elizabeth, Andrienne, Gerald, Kathryn, Andrew, Jonathan & Cheryl, 2010). Substance abuse Continuous use of illegal drugs is also associated with the reason why the juveniles run away from their homes. Drug and alcohol abuse is strongly linked as one of the reasons why juveniles find discomfort in the homes in order to find solace in other environments. Excessive substance abuse is strongly linked depression and confusion that can easily lead a juvenile into running away from their homestead to an unknown destination. Substance abuse in most cases results into conflicts between parents and their children and this provides the opportunity for children to run away in order to escape pressure from their parents who may not be comfortable with their behaviors. A comparison made between juveniles who abuse substances and those who do not reveal that those who abuse substances have a high probability of running away from their homes as opposed to those who do not abuse substances (Sanna., Kimberly & Gregory, 2005). This is also evident in juveniles who live in the streets since they are easily identified with drugs and alcohol most of the time. Police harassment and arrest Most of the juveniles who reside on the streets are prone unlawful acts that warrant police arrest. Some of the juveniles are known to run away in order to escape police arrest after realizing that they have committed horrible crimes (Zhang, Antonios, David, Victor, 2007). In some incidences, police are known to harass the juveniles whenever they break the law and as such, the juveniles are afraid of police and will always consider running away whenever they break the law. Gang membership Juveniles who are associated with certain gang membership are likely to run away from their homes with the hope that members of their gangs will provide them with accommodation and protection. Since most gangs live in the streets, it gives the juveniles morale to leave their homes and join their team as they execute their mandate. Gangs offer a sense of community and protection to their member that easily lures the juveniles who are associated with such team to run away and join them (Zhang, Antonios, David, Victor, 2007). Pregnancy and prostitution According to Hwang and Olwen (2004), pregnancy is an issue that is most likely to cause conflict between juveniles and their parents, some of which result in bitter confrontations. Among the women, pregnancy is a major cause of children run away as they tend to escape the pressure and anger that develops from their parents to find solace elsewhere. In some cases, juveniles run away from their homes in order to facilitate their acts of prostitution by escaping from the watchful eyes of their parents of guardians. Some of the juveniles have even been kicked out of their homes by their parents when they realize that their children are pregnant or prostitutes. Poverty and poor living conditions Poor housing conditions can also facilitate the act of juveniles running away from their homes as they seek a better living environment. Some juveniles admire better living conditions of their peers and their relatives and in some cases, this may prompt them to move away from their deplorable living conditions in search for a better living conditions (Kimberly & Bianca, 2008). Poor living conditions also make them an easy target for abductors who easily lure them with good lives and in turn make them run away from their homes. In case of poverty, juveniles are easily lured with money and other good promises that make them run away from their homes. Poverty also leads to neglect and lack of financial support that prompt the juveniles to run away as they attempt to fend for themselves and escape the poverty in their homes (Zhang, Antonios, David & Victor, 2007). Mental illness A mentally ill juvenile requires a lot of attention and care, lack of which may make him run away from their homes since they can barely reason for themselves. A good percentage of juveniles who are found roaming in the streets have some degree of mental illness that makes them unable to stay comfortable in their homes (Kimberly & Bianca, 2008). Race/Ethnicity Juveniles who are brought up in racially or ethnically mixed environment are more likely to run away from their homes due to frustrations that come with their environment. When juveniles are exposed to negative ethnicity and racism, they feel depressed and disillusioned with their lives that can make them run away from their homes in search of comfort elsewhere (Chapple, Johnson & Whitbeck, 2004). In the United States of America, the African Americans, the Hispanics and other minority groups portray more run away characteristics in states with white majority. What should be done The runaway juveniles in some cases come back to their homes while others find themselves in some safe alternatives. In the case of runaway caused by mental illness, the juvenile should be taken to a medical facility that is responsible for treating such ailments and restore sanity in the him or her (Clark, Crosland, Geller, Cripe, Kenney, Neff & Dunlap, 2008. Juveniles who run away from their homes due to drug and substance abuse should be taken to rehabilitation centers whereby their addiction can be corrected to make them live responsibly in the society. In the case of family problems, the juveniles together with their parents should be made to attend a counseling session whereby they can be shown how to handle each other in whatever situation that may arise. Juveniles who run away from their homes after breaking the law should be taken to correction facilities whereby their crooked behaviors can be addressed before allowing them to mix with the rest (Zhang, Antonios, David & Victor, 2007). The police also needs to be taught how to handle the juveniles properly and avoid harassing them in the extent that can make them think of running away. The law enforcement agencies should also be empowered so that they can disband all the gangs that lure juveniles in joining them so that those who think of such groups lack a place to go. The juveniles who return from the gang membership should also be taken to rehabilitation facilities to make them change their thinking and start a responsible living in the community (Clark, Crosland, Geller, Cripe, Kenney, Neff & Dunlap, 2008). In case of pregnancy, the parents should be taught how to handle their children in such a way that they engage them more in talks rather than being angry and abusive to their children. Whenever racism is the problem, juveniles should be taught how to handle racial diversity so that they do not feel depressed and disillusioned. References Chapple, C. L., Johnson, K. D., & Whitbeck, L. B. (2004). Gender and arrest among homeless and runaway youth: An analysis of background, family, and situational factors. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2, 129-147. Clark, H. B., Crosland, K. A., Geller, D., Cripe, M., Kenney, T., Neff, B., & Dunlap, G. (2008). A functional approach to reducing runaway behavior and stabilizing placements for adolescents in foster care. Research on Social Work Practice, 18, 429-441. Elizabeth, M., Andrienne, K., Gerald, B., Kathryn, D., Andrew, M., Jonathan, R & Cheryl, K. (2010). Parental Bonding Styles in Relation to Adolescent Males Runaway Behavior . Family Journal. Vol. 18 Issue 1, p18-23. Hwang, S & Olwen, B. (2004). Juveniles Motivations for Remaining in Prostitution. Psychology of Women Quarterly, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p136-146. Kimberly, T & Bianca, B. (2008). A Longitudinal Study of Early Adolescent Precursors to Running Away. Journal of Early Adolescence, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p230-251. Sanna,T., Kimberly, Z & Gregory, F. (2005). Risk Factors for Cigarette, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use Among Runaway Youth Utilizing Two Services Sectors. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse. Vol. 15 Issue 1, p17-36. Zhang, D., Antonios, K., David, B & Victor, W. (2007). Truancy Offenders in the Juvenile Justice System. Remedial & Special Education. Vol. 28 Issue 4, p244-256. Read More