Homeless Youth

Powers, Jane L. and Barbara Jaklitsch. Reaching the Hard to Reach. Education & Urban Society, Volume 25, Issue 4, August 1993. At some point in time, all teenagers are expected to leave home and venture out on their own. Separating from parents and gaining independence are two central tasks that teenagers must overcome in order to become adults. Teenagers usually learn how to make this transition through either home or school. Unfortunately, there are some teens today that do …

…reach these goals. Although education offers homeless students the opportunity to break the cycle of chronic poverty and homelessness, most homeless teens are unable to succeed in a traditional academic training program. Due to this, they need to have a more personalized, therapeutic approach to education. They also need to have comprehensive care (food, clothing, shelter) provided to them. Through these programs, homeless youth should have an easier time being able to survive in society.