Each year, between 1.6 million and 2.8 millions youth leave the United States. The threat of winter’s brutal cold is not the only one. runaway youththey will find it difficult to overcome. The National Runaway Switchboard’s 2011 Runaway Youth Longitudinal Study found that their long-term health, economic, and legal outcomes as adults are all at risk.
“Long-term consequences of youth running away should encourage parents, teachers and other adults to get involved earlier to prevent a runaway situation,”Maureen Blaha is the executive director of NRS. “Hopefully, knowing the potential consequences also deters youth from running away.”
Adults who fled their home as children are 51 percent more likely than those who did so as adults. They are also more likely to have suicidal thoughts, are more likely smoke, are 67 percent more likely, and are 53 percent more likely report being affected by a sexually transmitted illness.
Not only does it affect your health, but also the economy. A former runaway’s average annual income is $8,823, and there is a 76 percent chance that they will be able to receive AFDC, public aid, or welfare.
Running away has negative consequences that don’t end there. The likelihood of being arrested for running away from home as a teenager is approximately 2.5 times higher, and they are 99.9% more likely to get involved in drug sales. Parents can prevent their child from fleeing by running away. NRS has some suggestions for them.
* Understand Your Child. You can sympathize and understand your children’s feelings.
* Discuss Feelings. Talk about how it feels to be a parent. Encourage your children to discuss their feelings. Children feel safe sharing their feelings with their parents.
* Use Teamwork. Find mutually beneficial solutions together.
Visit www.runawayhomeless.org to get help for at-risk youth. www.1800RUNAWAY.orgContact NRS at 1-800-RUNAWAY
