"We’re Locking The Door": Family Histories in a Sample of Homeless Youth

It is well known that the pathways to homelessness for young people are embedded in often ongoing negative childhood experiences. Many of these experiences are rooted in multiple and intersecting problems including, but not limited to: family conflict, abuse, addictions, and mental health issues. The authors draw upon qualitative interviews conducted with 15 homeless male and female youth between the ages of 16 and 24 in a suburban area of Southern Ontario, Canada. We describe these young people’s perceptions of family experiences and find support for Elliott Currie’s (2004) proposition that a broader ethos of individualism and intolerant parenting underpins many youth experiences in contemporary society.

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"We’re Locking The Door": Family Histories in a Sample of Homeless Youth was published in the Qualitative Report Volume 15, Issue 52 in 2010.

Publication Date: 
2010
Pages: 
1209-1226
Volume: 
15
Issue: 
52
Journal Name: 
The Qualitative Report
Location: 
Ontario, Canada