When I Grow Up...

I remember when I was a kid and adults would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up? The reply was almost always something bigger than life. In no particular order, I would rifle off a list including (but not limited to): astronaut, archeologist, fighter pilot, soccer star, president, and a few other jobs I imagined were simply up for the taking. Over the years it became apparent what was within my grasp and I am happy with my current station in life even if I never married Alyssa Milano or became a professional jet pack tester.

One thing I never would have thought about was the possibility that I might grow up to be homeless. Most kids don't consider this because it's not a topic children think about.
Homelessness is a major social concern in the United States, and youth may be the age group most at risk of becoming homeless.

The number of youth who have experienced homelessness varies depending on the age range, timeframe, and definition used, but sources estimate that between 500,000 and 2.8 million youth are homeless within the United States each year. This is a far cry from dreams of being a doctor or lawyer. And it is not a simple case of kids deciding to abandon their homes because they have their phone taken away and are mad.

Youth run away for a whole host of reasons, including involvement in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems, abuse, neglect, abandonment, and severe family conflict. These youth are vulnerable to a range of negative experiences including exploitation and victimization. Runaway and homeless youth have high rates of involvement in the juvenile justice system, are more likely to engage in substance use and delinquent behavior, be teenage parents, drop out of school, suffer from sexually transmitted diseases, and meet the criteria for mental illness.

Experiences of unaccompanied homeless youth are different from those who experience homelessness with their families. While negative experiences persist for youth who are homeless with their families, their experiences may not vary drastically from youth living in poverty. Studies have also found distinct variability in outcomes experienced by homeless youth, suggesting that youth experience homelessness differently.

Providing timely and direct interventions to homeless and runaway youth is important to protect them from the risks of living on the streets and to support positive youth development, yet despite the risks and needs of these youth, few appear to know of, and access, support services. Even more critical is addressing the family or parental needs to prevent youth and their families from becoming homeless and addressing their behavioral health needs through comprehensive methods that involve both youth and their families.

No one wants to grow up to be homeless. I'll have more about this topic later in the week because if we truly believe that the youth represent the future of our country, there needs to be recognition that this is, indeed, a problem that is not going to go away on its own.