Every year many youth have to experience time on the streets. There are so many reasons that children are being pushed to the streets. Some reasons include: family problems, transitions from foster homes and other public systems, and economic problems. There are also ways of helping children and keeping them off the streets. Many ways include: caring for them, protecting them, educating them, and getting involved in organizations that help and prevent homeless youth.
Many youth become homeless because of problems in their home. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, and addiction are many reasons why children are pushed away. Foster homes can also push children away. What child wants to live in a place where they don’t get as much attention as they should? The other reason stated above is economic problems. Families who experience financial issues sometimes become homeless and families can become separated. Living on the streets at a young age can be very life changing. Consequences that the youth experience living on the streets includes: higher risk in engaging in unprotected sex, having sex with multiple partners, and taking part in drug use. They are also in greater risk of committing suicide, having bad health, and depression.
According to the National Runway Switchboard approximately 1.3 million youth are homeless living on the streets. The current recession has yielded a 200 percent increase between 2005 and 2008 in homeless and runaway youth suggested by data. Too many children are left alone to fend for themselves on the street.
There are many ways to keep the youth off the streets though. Families can care for their children. Be there for them, protect them, educate them. Let them know what could happen on the streets and how to protect themselves if they did end up on the street. There are also many organizations that people can get involved with that would help many children. There are organizations including The National Alliance to End Homelessness, Covenant House, and National Coalition for the Homeless. The goal of all these organizations is to help those that are homeless. The goal for the Covenant House is to protect the rights of the homeless youth. The goal for the National Alliance to End Homelessness is to prevent and end homelessness. They also provide information to the public to raise awareness of the issue. The National Coalition for the Homeless is to prevent and end homelessness. While also helping people experiencing homelessness and protecting their civil rights.
Youth homelessness has become an issue. There are many reasons why many youth are homeless and are still becoming homeless. But there are also many ways that children can be saved from having to live on the streets for one night. We can learn from our mistakes and save children’s lives.
