THESIS
STATEMENT: There are many different reasons why teenagers are running away but
these can be solved through parents’ guidance, stable family relationship and
right choice of friends.
Intro: I. Cases of Teenagers running away
II. Possible reasons why
teenagers runaway.
Body:
III. Possible Solutions
A. Parents' guidance
B. Good/Stable family relationship
C. Right choice of friends
Conclusion:
I. Summary
II.
Quotation
For most of
us, adolescence or teenage years is the most difficult stage in life. School,
social and extracurricular activities plus the responsibilities at home can
make the average adolescent's life hectic, stressful and overwhelming. It is
the stage wherein parents and teenagers are having a hard time understanding
each other's views and opinions, as a result, conflict arises between them.
We cannot
ignore the fact that the number of cases of teenage runaways is rising
worldwide. Most teens that run do not plan it. For example, the Orlando's
famous runaway posted by Mail Foreign Service (2009) in Dailymail website state
a story that a Muslim teenager, age 17 that time, runaway from their home
because she is scared of being punished after she had converted to
Christianity. In Muslim perspective converting to Christianity is a capital
sin. So she decided to stay in Ohio for the mean time with a pastor she meets only
in Facebook prayer group, but the authorities want to send her back to Sri
Lanka. Before sending her back they are trying to make sure that she will be
fine after being sent back. In the given example teenagers usually leave on
impulse.
There are
many reasons why teenagers leave home. They want to escape from family
problems. They want freedom; they do not like the strict implemented rules and
regulations at home. They are very eager to act like adults, though they lack
maturity and experience. Some leave due to neglect. Neglect is the feeling of
not being loved and thinking that they will find it from others, outside their
homes. Others leave because of abuse, this includes verbal, emotional, physical
and sexual. There are many different reasons why teenagers are running away but
these can be solved through parents’ guidance, stable family relationship and
right choice of friends.
They want
to end a recurrent or on-going painful and unpleasant experience in their life.
Some leave because of school bullying, yes this is kind of surprising but true.
For example, a story posted by Renee Murphy (2010) in Whass11 news state that a
police in Bullitt County found the 2 deaf teenagers ran away from home because
they were bullied by their classmates. The 2 teenagers told the police that
they were bullied in school because of their impairment and they want to get
away from it. Whatever the reasons, these teens are trying to avoid their
problems.
Teenage
runaways can be prevented. First and the best way to prevent it are through
parent's proper guidance to their teens. Confront trouble signs directly,
firmly and calmly. Discuss your concerns and the consequences of continued
unaccountable behaviour without lecturing.
Second,
they should have stable family relationships; spend quality time to their
teens; listen to them regularly with full attention and be non-judgemental.
Always be available when they ask for help. Take their concerns seriously. Do
not dismiss their worries or fears. Parents should establish trust so that they
will be sure that their teens will be honest in telling them everything happens
in their life, no matter how bad it is. Also, they should respect, never
interrupt your teenager when trying to explain something even if you disagree.
Wait until they are done and never dare your children to run away; and never
use sarcasm.
Lastly,
friends play a major part in teenagers' life. Parents cannot choose their
friends but may advice and inculcate to them the importance of choosing the
correct circle of friends. This way, parents create opportunities for teens to
learn about making positive decisions for their lives and at the same time
teach them to be accountable for their actions.
The
bottom-line is for parents and children to have proper communication, mutual
respect and trust. Make your home a place of safety for your children, both
emotionally and physically. A place of trust and support that fulfils your
child's needs that may they may never think of running away from home. Remember
there is no place like home. And as Dr. Jose Rizal once said, “The youth is the
hope of our nation." Let us not waste out future. Protect our youth.
References:
Renee M.(2010, April 21).Bullying or a runaway? Bullitt County teens say they ran away after school bullying [web log post].Retrieved from http://www.whas11.com/news/Bullying-or-a-runaway-Bullitt-County-teens-say-they-ran-away-after-school-bullying-91756074.html
Mail Foreign Service(2009).Teenage runaway feared her Muslim parents would punish her for converting to Christianity.Dailymail.Retrived from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208292/Teenage-runaway-feared-Muslim-parents-punish-converting-Christianity.html
Marcelina H.(n.d).Teenage Runaways.Lovetoknowteens.Retrieved from http://teens.lovetoknow.com/Teenage_Runaways
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