One section that I found interesting is on the topic of Runaways. In this text its mentions that there are over 300,000 runaways in the united states. I wonder what that number is today so I did some research on this topic and found onJuviniles and Homeless: Homelessness among young people is a serious issue. Homeless youth sometimes referred to as an unaccompanied youth, are individuals who lack parental, foster or institutional care.The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that on any given night there is approximately 1.3 million homeless youth living unsupervised on the streets, in abandoned buildings, with friends or with strangers. Homeless youth are at a higher risk for physical abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, substance abuse, and death. It is estimated that 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide. Data suggests that the current recession has yielded an increase in homeless and runaway youth. Between 2005 and 2008, the National Runaway Switchboard saw a 200 percent increase in calls from youth indicating economic reasons for running away from home. The Switchboard also reported an increase in the numbers of youth who were kicked out of their homes. A 2008 survey of school districts showed an increase in the number of homeless students. It is important to note that precise numbers of homeless youth are difficult to determine due to lack of a standard methodology and mobility of the homeless population (www.ncsl.org).
Reference
N. (n.d.). Http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaway-youth.aspx. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
