Third day of the fifth month of 2011, Julian Maldonado was jailed for coercing a runaway teenager to sell her body for money. The young girl contracted the virus that causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome as a result. His wife, who was the other defendant in the case, got eight years. The case also shone a spotlight on the vexing issue of teenage runaways.
There are many reasons why a child would run away from their house, or any alternative care facility such as a group and foster homes. Some may be kidnapped by strangers or absent parents; others are chased away by their legal caregivers, and not allowed to come back. There is a small group who simply overstay their visits. A large majority, however, leave willingly, their goal being never to come back.
According to data availed by the United States government, there were nearly two million runaways in the country in nineteen ninety nine. Most were aged fifteen to seventeen years old; very few were fourteen or below. Most teenagers who run away from home came from working class and lower income backgrounds, something many researchers attribute to increased family stresses due to lack of income and resources. Kids from blended families are also at a greater risk of running away.
The same information shows that kids from foster and group homes are more likely to take off as compared to those from more normal backgrounds. Older children from group homes and similar facilities are also more likely to take off than those who are younger; the chances of this happening are higher in the period after placement. Kids with such backgrounds will run away further away as compared to those who live with a parent or guardian.
The perception that many people have of kids who have run away from home is that they end up on the streets. This, however, is true to a very small extent. Many kids take off to a friend's or a relative's house, where they are safe. The few who conform to the street kid stereotype are most likely to end up being abused or engaging in criminal behavior. Policy makers and law enforcers are burning the midnight oil trying to find ways to reach these kids.
While policemen and women are concerned about runaway teenagers, they do not give as high a priority as they should to such cases. Most police officers hold the perception that a large number of parents are unable to keep their children in check, and expect them to play that role. Also, many children who run away never want to go back home. If they are forced to do so, they are most likely to take off again.
Most police stations do not have the kind of facilities that can handle teenagers that have run away, since they are designed to process criminals. Because law enforcement agencies have competing demands on their time and resources, they have to choose between such cases and more serious threats.
Teenagers who run away from home generally suffer from depression, have a poor self concept among other problems. They are more likely to abuse drugs, join criminal gangs, engage in unlawful behavior and so on. These stem from their backgrounds, and are best solved there. That is the only way to stop predators like Julian Maldonado.
There are many reasons why a child would run away from their house, or any alternative care facility such as a group and foster homes. Some may be kidnapped by strangers or absent parents; others are chased away by their legal caregivers, and not allowed to come back. There is a small group who simply overstay their visits. A large majority, however, leave willingly, their goal being never to come back.
According to data availed by the United States government, there were nearly two million runaways in the country in nineteen ninety nine. Most were aged fifteen to seventeen years old; very few were fourteen or below. Most teenagers who run away from home came from working class and lower income backgrounds, something many researchers attribute to increased family stresses due to lack of income and resources. Kids from blended families are also at a greater risk of running away.
The same information shows that kids from foster and group homes are more likely to take off as compared to those from more normal backgrounds. Older children from group homes and similar facilities are also more likely to take off than those who are younger; the chances of this happening are higher in the period after placement. Kids with such backgrounds will run away further away as compared to those who live with a parent or guardian.
The perception that many people have of kids who have run away from home is that they end up on the streets. This, however, is true to a very small extent. Many kids take off to a friend's or a relative's house, where they are safe. The few who conform to the street kid stereotype are most likely to end up being abused or engaging in criminal behavior. Policy makers and law enforcers are burning the midnight oil trying to find ways to reach these kids.
While policemen and women are concerned about runaway teenagers, they do not give as high a priority as they should to such cases. Most police officers hold the perception that a large number of parents are unable to keep their children in check, and expect them to play that role. Also, many children who run away never want to go back home. If they are forced to do so, they are most likely to take off again.
Most police stations do not have the kind of facilities that can handle teenagers that have run away, since they are designed to process criminals. Because law enforcement agencies have competing demands on their time and resources, they have to choose between such cases and more serious threats.
Teenagers who run away from home generally suffer from depression, have a poor self concept among other problems. They are more likely to abuse drugs, join criminal gangs, engage in unlawful behavior and so on. These stem from their backgrounds, and are best solved there. That is the only way to stop predators like Julian Maldonado.
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