• 23
  • July
    2010

According to a new report released May 12, 2010, the most common reason that youth run away is because of problems in the family. The report was based on calls to the National Runaway Switchboard, a hotline that offers runaway youth help and advice. The Switchboard receives more than 100,000 calls every year and operates out of both public and private funds.

29 percent of youth reported family dynamics as the main reason they left home. One in five children will run away from home before they turn 18 years old, for a total of 1.7 million each year.

Of children included in the Switchboard's report, 48 percent of youth claim to have been thrown out of their homes. 30 percent claimed they left home voluntarily. 22 percent claimed it was a mutual decision to leave home.

It is difficult to accurately predict how family problems like divorce affect children. Every child reacts differently and the most important factor is how the parents handle the divorce and how the child is treated before, during and after the separation.

Robert E. Emery, Ph. D., outlines many possible problems that children of divorced parents could possibly encounter, such as excessive worry or other psychological or behavioral problems. He says likely causes of these issues are stress, wanting the family to stay together, losing contact with one of the parents, and increased conflict within the family.

A study conducted over 25 years on 93 adults whose parents had been divorced in Marin County, California, shows that the effects of divorce on children are long term. Psychologist Judith Wallerstein claims that the age where the effects of divorce are most disruptive is in adulthood when people are looking for a committed relationship of their own.

While running away from home is an extreme response to family problems, most all children will be negatively affected in some way by a divorce. One way to lessen the burden on the child is to strive for a mediated, calm and reasonable divorce.

Hiring a divorce attorney is one of the best ways to accomplish this. A divorce attorney can ensure a smooth process and help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Divorce laws differ state by state and a divorce attorney will help you understand the laws regarding:

  • Grounds for divorce
  • The required waiting period (if any) before divorce
  • Child support
  • Spousal support (alimony)
  • Division of property, assets and debts
  • Waiting period for remarriage (if any) after divorce

Every parent wants what is best for their child. Going through a divorce is hard for everyone involved. If parents are stressed, angry and arguing over court proceedings, the child will suffer.