Self-Mutilation Among Runaway and Homeless Youth

Abstract

Homeless youth are individuals under the age of 18 who lack parental, foster, or institutional care; they are in need of services and without a place of shelter where they receive supervision and care. These individuals are sometimes referred to as “unaccompanied” youth. The category of homeless youth is defined to include runaway, throwaway, and street youth. A runaway youth is a person under 18 who is away from home or place of legal residence at least one night without the permission of parents, guardians, or custodial authorities. A throwaway youth is one who has been told or forced to leave or deserted by parents or guardians. Street youth manage to live for an extended time on the streets, sleeping outdoors or in abandoned buildings. Many of the street youth are long-term runaway, throwaway, or other homeless youth.