Why Do Children Run Away From Home?

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"The best way to make children good is to make them happy." - Oscar Wilde

It is critical that the number of youth who run away from home is increasing in a dangerous degree. Millions of parents suffer every year because their children have run away from home. They say that "it is like a never-ending nightmare". Parents are left to struggle with why their child would leave home.

Too many teenagers run away 'from' something, rather 'to' something. "Many teenage runaways leave home in search of safety and freedom from what they consider abusive treatment, whether physical, sexual, or emotional". Running away from home is usually a quick decision.

Why do they do it?
There are several reasons children run away from home. Some do so because of an unstable family situation (divorce, a death in the family, sexual or physical abuse, or drug or alcohol problems in the parents). Some run away as a response to over-control, neglect, or conditional love. Some seek to wield power over, get undue attention from, manipulate, or punish their parents. Some suffer acute personal crises like pregnancy, substance abuse, or trouble with the law. Some are depressed, and some just seek adventure or are influenced to run away by their peers.

One problem teenagers have at home these days is that both parents may be working. Mom and Dad aren't around much. They spend little time as a family. Absence of a parent does not make the heart grow fonder. Oftentimes a runaway will complain that he or she is not loved any more.

Sometimes the problem has to do with money. They can't wear expensive clothes like some of their friends. They can't buy tickets to concerts, or go on dates. For many teens economic obstacles are hard to deal with. They feel they are victims. They believe the outside world is better.

Some young people at risk of running away or becoming homeless are experiencing violence. When talking about their families, they describe being shouted at, sworn at, blamed for everything, scapegoated, hit, pushed, shoved and threatened by their parents or step-parents.

For some reason, running away makes them feel free, unsupervised, no curfew hours, homework, dress code, eating habits.

For some teens, running away is a rebellion against adults and against authority.

For some it is fear of consequences for something they have done (bad grades, taking something that didn't belong to them, breaking up with a boy- or girl-friend, even deciding they are gay or lesbian is often a reason to run away.

Many of the run away children end up being very distrustful of adults or even to the point where they are suicidal.

Solutions
What can parents do to make their children stay at home? One simple 'win over' gesture is to communicate,listen, help, understand and try to solve the problems patiently

You can protect your child by providing a better quality of life at home. A loving and happy home atmosphere with good communication will help your child to feel secure, which will make them think twice before running away from home. Parents who care will also weigh their decision in the light of what is in the best interest of the children. Parents do not want there children to become neurotic and paranoid. Just take the time to show your child the love and affection that they deserve and need. By doing this you will not have to worry about your child being among the number of runaways in the world today.