The Relationship Between Homeless Youth and Sex for Survival Each year in the United States over one million youth under the age of 18 are homeless (Warf, et al., 2013). There are many factors that may contribute to a young person becoming homeless such as disagreements with parents or step-parents, pregnancy, sexual orientation, school performance, substance abuse, and physical or sexual abuse occurring in the home (Warf, et al., 2013). No matter what led the youth to homelessness, they face many challenges. They are forced to survive without the support of their family and also lack education and necessary job skills. These youths then try strategies such as panhandling, shoplifting, stealing, selling drugs, or survival sex to obtain what
…show more content…
As age increases by 1 year the likelihood of engaging in survival sex increases by 10%-37% depending on the study (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). Multiple studies have shown that minority youth are over 2.2 times more likely to engage in survival sex than their white counterparts (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). Multiple studies have also found that homeless youths who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual are 1.7 to 2.5 times more likely to engage in survival sex (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). substance abuse and mental health. Teens who reported drug use were typically more likely to engage in survival sex. Drug use, specifically heavy drinking and intravenous drug use are identified as factors leading to participating in survival sex (Warf, et al., 2013). Using inhalants, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, Valium, Morphine, Codeine, Vicodin, and Demerol all led to higher rates or survival sex (Walls & Bell, 2011). Teens who attempted suicide or who had previous psychiatric hospitalizations were more likely to engage in survival sex (Green, et al., 1999; Walls & Bell, …show more content…
Another major limitation to these studies is that they are predominantly aimed at youth who access services at social service or community based agencies such as homeless shelters or outreach program. This underrepresents those who are not accessing such services (Walls & Bell, 2011; Warf, et al., 2013). Other limitations may be due to the fact that some teens may be reluctant to report such personal information and answer such sensitive questions (Warf, et al., 2013).
Recommendations
Recommendations for future research would include large sampler sizes with better sampling strategies to represent more of the population. Surveying homeless youth who do not have access to services to compare results and see if those who are not accessing services are at a higher risk. Continue to identify risk factors but also perform research on the consequences as well as protective factors.
As age increases by 1 year the likelihood of engaging in survival sex increases by 10%-37% depending on the study (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). Multiple studies have shown that minority youth are over 2.2 times more likely to engage in survival sex than their white counterparts (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). Multiple studies have also found that homeless youths who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual are 1.7 to 2.5 times more likely to engage in survival sex (Tyler, 2007; Walls & Bell, 2011). substance abuse and mental health. Teens who reported drug use were typically more likely to engage in survival sex. Drug use, specifically heavy drinking and intravenous drug use are identified as factors leading to participating in survival sex (Warf, et al., 2013). Using inhalants, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, Valium, Morphine, Codeine, Vicodin, and Demerol all led to higher rates or survival sex (Walls & Bell, 2011). Teens who attempted suicide or who had previous psychiatric hospitalizations were more likely to engage in survival sex (Green, et al., 1999; Walls & Bell, …show more content…
Another major limitation to these studies is that they are predominantly aimed at youth who access services at social service or community based agencies such as homeless shelters or outreach program. This underrepresents those who are not accessing such services (Walls & Bell, 2011; Warf, et al., 2013). Other limitations may be due to the fact that some teens may be reluctant to report such personal information and answer such sensitive questions (Warf, et al., 2013).
Recommendations
Recommendations for future research would include large sampler sizes with better sampling strategies to represent more of the population. Surveying homeless youth who do not have access to services to compare results and see if those who are not accessing services are at a higher risk. Continue to identify risk factors but also perform research on the consequences as well as protective factors.