While most kids in today’s society are worrying about when the new IPhone is going to come out; an estimated 170,000 kids in the United States are struggling to find food and shelter every day (Vostanis, Cumella, 8). Most homeless children in the United States have grown up with a family member who was an alcohol or drug abuser. These kids were often abused physically and sexually at a young age which often results in a low self-esteem, substance abuse, and running away from home (Pearce, 1). Youth homelessness is one of the most overlooked problems by many in the United States today. As the number of homeless youth continues to rise every day; the government of the United States and its people need to come together to put a stop to the rise
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In a study done by Wyman and his team 71 percent of the homeless youth had an alcohol or drug disorder at the time. In addition, a nationwide survey was also taken and showed that 50 percent of homeless kids have tried to take their lives because of a drug or alcohol addiction (Wyman). What is very astounding is that out of all the homeless youth population around 75 percent uses or has used marijuana and 25 percent have used cocaine (Wyman). Many of these kids are hopeless, and sadly their only way to feel good is from these sorts of …show more content…
In a study done by Stronge and his colleagues he found that 43 percent of homeless kids do not attend school regularly (Vostanis, Cumella, 131). The problem is many parents are never quite sure how much time they will spend in a given shelter so they just don’t send their kids at all. In an interview done by Vostanis and Cumella they interviewed one parent who said “If I’d known how long we’d be here I would have been up at the school the next day and got them straight in” (132). Secondly, another young teen told Vostanis and Cumella that getting to school is very hard because she has to take two buses to avoid her father’s house who abused her as a young girl (133). Education is one of the most important aspects for a growing child and the people of the United States need to take new paths in order to strengthen
In a study done by Wyman and his team 71 percent of the homeless youth had an alcohol or drug disorder at the time. In addition, a nationwide survey was also taken and showed that 50 percent of homeless kids have tried to take their lives because of a drug or alcohol addiction (Wyman). What is very astounding is that out of all the homeless youth population around 75 percent uses or has used marijuana and 25 percent have used cocaine (Wyman). Many of these kids are hopeless, and sadly their only way to feel good is from these sorts of …show more content…
In a study done by Stronge and his colleagues he found that 43 percent of homeless kids do not attend school regularly (Vostanis, Cumella, 131). The problem is many parents are never quite sure how much time they will spend in a given shelter so they just don’t send their kids at all. In an interview done by Vostanis and Cumella they interviewed one parent who said “If I’d known how long we’d be here I would have been up at the school the next day and got them straight in” (132). Secondly, another young teen told Vostanis and Cumella that getting to school is very hard because she has to take two buses to avoid her father’s house who abused her as a young girl (133). Education is one of the most important aspects for a growing child and the people of the United States need to take new paths in order to strengthen