Chapter Five – Young Adult Issues & Trends Leaving Home

Gender Roles – In Class Cultural Conflict – Read The Costs of Education – Read Homeless Youth – In Class Suicide – In Class

Homeless Youth Defined – Homeless includes:. those staying with friends. those sleeping outside or in whatever space to protect them from the weather

According to Wikipedia Homelessness is the condition and social category of people who lack housing, because they cannot afford, or are otherwise unable to maintain, regular, safe, and adequate shelter. The term "homelessness" may also include people whose primary night time residence is in a homeless shelter, in an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A small number of people choose to be homeless nomads, such as some Romani people (Gypsies) and members of some subcultures. An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless.

Homeless Youth Always been homeless people, but the number has been growing in industrial nations. Toronto – people use shelters daily – increasing yearly Montreal – 4000 to 5000 homeless youth Halifax – 100 homeless youth

Causes of Homelessness One – Disruptive Family Conditions. Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse lead to neglect or abandonment 75% of street youth report being victims of abuse Custody issues leave children without parents Leave to escape parental rules I would rather be homeless," one street teen said. "It is cold and miserable on the streets, but it is better than being beaten up by parents who don't care." Miscellaneous

Causes of Homelessness Two – Residential Instability 20% of homeless youth come from foster care young Canadians run away for home each year 90% return home within 60 days, but most of the remaining 10% remain homeless “Many foster children have had difficulty making the transition to independent living. Several are homeless, become single parents, commit crimes, or live in poverty. They are also frequent targets of crime.” Charles Foster Bass

Causes of Homelessness Three – Leave Home Unsuccessfully Leave home to work and live independently but become homeless when they are unable to move back home Typically suffer from financial crisis. “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?” Gandhi

The Daily Challenges of Homeless Youth Daily Changes: Unable to plan for a productive life. Depend on begging or illegal means of income to meet basic needs. Addictions – est. 40% use intravenous drugs (sometimes support by working in the sex trade, could lead to HIV). Street youth have a mortality rate 13 times higher than other youth Attracted to temporarily (often harmful) solutions to large problems Poor education, poor job opportunities, poor self-esteem, poor identity, poor self-worth, poor judgment – all equal an unsuccessful transition to adulthood

The Problem of Homelessness Very difficult to solve. _______________– might state that drugs are increasing, alcohol is increasing, youth choose this life to avoid conforming to their parents _______________– decline in stable employment reducing income and rising affordable housing. Illustrates a growing gap between the rich & the poor Short term solution relies on governmental & non-profit organizations to alleviate immediate needs of the homeless, especially for youth so that they can become self-reliant

. Lack of income or affordable housing is forcing thousands of Canadians into homelessness. Add to this job loss and the numbers are sure to increase. Statistics Canada reports that 1.45 million Canadians want to work, but cannot find a job.

. Factors such as unemployment, mental and physical health, and addictions to drugs or alcohol can prevent some individuals from maintaining a permanent resident.