This paper will attempt to explain from an developmental and ecological framework the myriad of issues and obstacles effecting the health and development of those who experience homelessness in youth. Homelessness at such an early and integral stage in one’s life presents lasting consequences and we must work to better understand, prevent and reverse the effects of homelessness on children.
Homelessness is a widespread issue that in recent years has only worsened with the downturn in the economy and a never-ending war. Of this very vulnerable population however there is within an even more vulnerable population, the children affected by homelessness. We as a society need to understand why homelessness in childhood happens, and understand how drastically it effects children’s development overall. We must gain a better understanding of the specific issues arising from homelessness in childhood; Physical; Psychological; and Academic to understand how to minimize and reverse those effects of childhood homelessness. Biological Perspective From a biological perspective the environment a child is exposed to can have great effects on their health that can last a lifetime. Poor living conditions and constant stress contribute to bad? Health.Many live in rundown establishments with leaks, toxic mold and rodent and insect infestations which carry diseases. Infants that are born into homelessness exhibit lower birth weights, and are at least four times more likely to be in need of extended care after their birth. Homeless children are prone to many more chronic health issues than children who are not, homeless children are hospitalized twice that of non- homeless children. They are five times more likely to have stomach issues, an...
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...ealth screenings and appropriate referrals should be given priority. Quality educational programs, with extra tutoring should be made available to homeless children and parent outreach is essential. Recreational and afterschool care are need for homeless children to have a safe and caring environment to stay when parents must work. It is the goal to help client’s cope with and overcome issues related to childhood homelessness and how to prevent at risk clients from becoming homeless
Works Cited
http://www.doorwaysva.org/children-youth/impact-of-homelessness-on-children/ http://www.fhfund.org/_dnld/reports/SupportiveChildren.pdf http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/understanding-homelessness/impact-of-homelessness-on-children/ http://cssr.berkeley.edu/bassc/public/CompletePovertyReport082306.pdf http://www.socialworkpolicy.org/research/homelessness.html
Furthermore, facilities frequently concentrate on “quick-fix” interventions instead of focusing on their qualities that empower them and concentrating on long-term aspirations (Heinze & Jozefowicz-Simbeni, 2009). For the most part, it is extremely hard to access health care for the youth population because they face various restrictions. It is not surprising that many homeless adolescents do not have a way of seeking services even if they are the population that needs it the most. Homeless youth are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes such as not being able to further their education, getting incarcerated, developing a mental health disorder, and engaging in alcohol dependency and unsafe sexual behavior (Heinze & Jozefowicz-Simbeni, 2009). Children without a home are more prone to live in inconsistent and harsh living conditions categorized by family and school issues. Although; many homeless youths do not experience desirable outcomes housing programs and similar services serve a primary support system to help reduce homelessness. Services that promise better living conditions are shown to enhance lifestyles and a positive development into adulthood.
Youth become homeless for a number of reasons, including: family violence and neglect, rejection due to sexual orientation or gender identity, the overwhelmed child welfare system and extreme poverty. These youth almost always have experienced unimaginable abuse and trauma, in their homes, their communities, and on the street. It is the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA)-funded services and programs that help to rectify the deep injustices that homeless youth experience on a daily basis.
Giffords, E., Alonso, C., & Bell, R. (2007). A Transitional Living Program for Homeless Adolescents: A Case Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(4), 141-151. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9036-0.
Homelessness can result from children running away, being abandoned by parents, extreme poverty within the family and/or unsafe/unstable living conditions. Being in situations where a child has worry about where they are going to sleep or where there next meal may come from gives them little time, if any, to focus or even think about attending school. In addition, attending school means a need for the upkeep of personal hygiene, having clean clothes and most importantly transportation to and from school, which can add more stress to a child outside of the fact they are homeless. Not having these things causes high levels of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Th...
Gwinnett County Public School (2010, June). Education for Homeless Children and Youth. Retrieved February 4, 2014, from http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-mainweb01.nsf/F42D74FA4ECBBFED85257754006DDA21/$file/HEP_Parent_Brochure_10-11.pdf
Abuse and neglect are one of the top three leading causes of youth homelessness. “Studies show 70 percent of homeless youth have suffered some form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse”
Homeless Youth: Characteristics, Contributing Factors, and Service Options. Journal Of Human Behavior In The Social Environment, 20(2), 193-217. doi:10.1080/10911350903269831
The youth homelessness population is increasing because of the many challenges that these children or teens face in everyday life; It also continues getting larger every year because of the many youth who are getting into dangerous situations that force them to be homeless or thru their own choosing. One third of the homeless population is between the ages of 16-24, which is incredibly young and it is the prime years for an adolescent or young adu...
This source is an ethnographic study to explore the culture of homelessness in youth. Data for the study were obtained from nineteen homeless adolescents from the northeastern part of the US. Oliveira and Burke (2009) identified some of the cultural features of homeless youth including material possessions such as musical instruments and equipment, relationships with other homeless individuals to create a street family, selling drugs and panhandling as well as a street language. They found that the decision to make the streets their home was a rational option to staying unsafe and harmful home environments.
Furthermore, Homelessness is also a strong outcome of poverty, in comparison to people that are in poverty, but live in a home. Homeless children do not have access to adequate nutrition and medical care therefore causing even more health problems. Homeless women “experience higher rates of low‐birth‐weight babies, miscarriages, and infant mortality”(Cliffnotes,2015). Homelessness makes it extremely difficult to obtain a job due to the many under developments; mental and social that are obtained due to this life making poverty a never ending cycle, extremely difficult to
Many issues affect the homeless besides the obvious lack of housing. There are many different theories about why people become homeless and whether some of their issues cause homelessness or are the result of it. Some generally accepted causes for homelessness are; the breakdown of the family, lack of sufficient income and lack of affordable housing. Other issues the homeless struggle with may or may not have precipitated their homelessness like substance or alcohol abuse or mental illness. In addition, many homeless suffer from physical disease. Regardless of the reason, the children not only suffer many of the same problems their parents do, but they struggle with the added burden of missing out on school or changing schools many times throughout a given year.
Homelessness is a problem virtually every society suffers from. There are many things that cause people to become homeless, such as unemployment, relationship problems, and being evicted from ones domicile either by a landlord, friend or even a family member. However, with every cause there must be an effect. Some of the effects of one becoming homeless, besides the obvious change of lifestyle, are various health problems which often times may lead to death.
Howard, Barbara J. “Do What You Can for a Homeless Child.” Pediatric News June 2008: 16. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
Many believe that a common thread among the homeless is a lack of permanent and stable housing. But beyond that, the factors leading to homelessness and the services that are needed are unique according to the individual. To put them into one general category ? the homeless- suggests that people are homeless for similar reasons and therefore a single solution is the answer. Every homeless person shares the basic needs of affordable housing, adequate incomes and attainable healthcare. But a wide range of other unmet needs cause some people to become or remain homeless which include drug treatment, employment training, transportation, childcare and mental health services (Center 8.)
In the article “Homeless Children and Youth; Causes and Consequences” by Yumiko Aratani discusses the causes and consequences of homeless youths and children. The article discusses who are homeless. Both children living in homeless families and unaccompanied youths. The factor the at contribute to homelessness are lack of affordable housing economic insecurity, violence at home, behavioral health, lack of positive social support, and involvement of the children welfare system. He article then went on the talk about the impact many face. Such as food insecurity, health issues, trauma, lack of education, juvenile delinquency. It also talks about policies and practice that are put in place to help these individuals. The article also suggested policy actions such as to increase funding, provide education, food, and s much more.