Why kids run away or get thrown from home
Each year thousands of teens run away or get thrown from home—kids from every city, neighborhood, and school. Many of them are going through normal changes—both asserting independence and making mistakes—that are part of growing up and defining their identity. Others are in abusive homes or in families undergoing emotional or financial stress. And some are abusing drugs or alcohol, are involved in gangs, or have serious behavior problems—situations that their families don't know how to handle.
Some reasons why kids leave home:
*significant lack of family communication
*feelings of not belonging or not being good enough
*physical or sexual abuse
*fighting or violence between parents
*problems with parents or blended families (step-parents, step or half-brothers and sisters)
*problems with non-parental living situation (other relatives, foster care, group home)
*parental alcohol or drug use
*kids' alcohol or drug use
*loss of a parent due to divorce or death
*sexuality/teen pregnancy
*financial difficulty—ongoing or unexpected
*moving to a new area/school during adolescence
*friend/peer influence
*power of gangs
