easy homework

Professor Willard

Composition II

April 10, 2015

Examination of Youth Homelessness

In general, homelessness is a steady and prevalent matter in the United States, but the accumulating amount of number contributing to the homelessness population could be a result of a growing population of adolescence living without their families, and are on the streets unaccompanied. The examination of multiple sources will address the definition of what defines a homeless youth and the causes and effects of homeless adolescents. Furthermore, difficulties accessing proper health care contribute to further serious physical and mental health concerns that can cause short term or long term effects. Consequently, intervention programs, services, and shelter care are results of improving homeless adolescents transitioning back into their families’ and back into society. Findings highlight the need for an adequate health care, the continuation and exposure of more interventions, and expanding more awareness of homeless youth.

In the United States, the number of young adults “living without their families or permanent shelter is a growing concern” (Edidin, et al., 354). According to StandUp For Kids, it is estimated that approximately 1.5- 2.8 millions of young adults are homeless in America. The definition of homelessness for many of us could be defined as a person who does not have any permanent housing. However, homeless youth are categorized in a variety of groups that defines them as “runaway youth (if they left their families), thrown away youth (if their families forced them to leave), street youth (if they live in the streets), and shelter youth (if they stay in a shelter)”, (Sanabria, 52). But because of inconsistent classification of the definition of homeless youth and what is considered to be a “youth”, there are difficulties in determining the accurate homeless youth population.

There are countless of assortments that could contribute to the cause of adolescents to leave or to be force out of their homes. Three prevalent reasons people are homeless are “family breakdown, which includes behaviors of parents and youth, economic problems, and residential instability” (Edidin, et al., 356). The most current common cause of youth homelessness can be the relationship between the parent and the adolescents, which “may include poor family functioning, unstable home environments, socioeconomic disadvantage, and separation from parents or caregivers” (Edidin, et al., 356). Furthermore, other common causes of youth becoming homeless are due to being forced to be removed from their homes, family conflict, neglect and physical abuse at home, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol, academics, substance abuse, sexual activity, sexual oriented, and more. Additionally, according to Jhon J. Sanabria, researchers have single out variables that does not correlate with youth homelessness (55). For example, gender, race, setting (i.e. rural or urban), and poverty.

Even before experiencing the lifestyle and effects of being homeless, Edidin, Ganim, Hunter, and Karnik suggested that, “homeless youth experience high rates of trauma and abuse prior to their experience of homelessness” (356), which may lead in developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Common effects that would occur when youth are homeless are physical and mental health impairment such as problems solving skills, logical thinking, judgment, and processing speed. Being homeless as a young teen to early adulthood can greatly impact their neurocognitive development because that is the time when the brain begins to develop. Another main health concern among homeless youth is that they could contract sexually transmitted infections and the usage of drugs and alcohol, which puts them at high risk for poor health. According to Edidin, et al.,, those who have been living as a homeless for a while are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. It has also been stated that “homeless youth also make their sexual debut 2–3 years earlier, at 12 to 13 years-old” (359).

Moreover, because of problematic issue such as limited access to healthcare clinics for homeless youth, in America, homeless youth are more likely susceptible or at risk of contracting variety of illnesses, when they’re living on the streets. Health care or health promotion has been seen as an effective system among homeless youth such as “mental well-being, decreased loneliness, expanded social network, increased coping skills, enhanced self-efficacy, and diminished use of drugs and alcohol” (Nyamathi et al., 559) . According to Nyamathi et al.,, a “significant improvement in HIV and STD knowledge pre- and post-intervention in 564 homeless youth in Texas” (559). Although there is knowledge about what is going on with homeless youth, there is insufficient amount of access to health care because of multiple barriers that prevent them to get access. Problems such as financial problems, structural factors, difficulty in finding clinic, lack of coordination among healthcare providers, specific hours for homeless youth, clinic scarcity, and more. For this reason, it is important to bring awareness and expand more access/availability and knowledge to health care for homeless youth.

Many programs such as shelter services and intervention programs are considered to have positive outcome. As stated by House et al.,, “previous research indicates that runaway and homeless youth often achieve positive outcomes after shelter stays” (545). For example, Holly H. McManus and Sanna J. Thompson assessed in homeless youth that are traumatized. They focused on the goal of restoration of some degree of safety and control. Some intervention or shelter services improve youth’s mental health and social condition. For example, some programs would provide more than twenty-four social skills that teach and require interaction. It is necessary to develop more interventions and shelters because “traumatic experiences often inhibit homeless youths' ability to employ the psychosocial skills necessary to a transition out of homelessness” (McManus and Thompson, 92). Not only that but it would help reduce the number of homeless youth and would help homeless youth get back in track and not fall too deep.

Overall, because of limited access to healthcare clinics, shelter care, and intervention programs for homeless youth, in America, it is a problematic issue because they’re more likely susceptible or at risk of contracting variety of illnesses such as mental and physical illnesses. It is important to be more aware of this problematic issue because the longer the issue are being ignored, more issues would rise. If there are more clinics and programs, homeless youth can easily get the aid they need, which can prevent them from developing mental illness that can greatly affect them.

Toulmin Map

Claim: Limited access to healthcare clinics for homeless youth, in America, is a problematic issue because they’re more likely susceptible or at risk of contracting variety of illnesses, when they’re living on the streets.

Ground: According to Edidin, et al. “difficulties accessing adequate and developmentally-appropriate health care contribute to more serious health concerns “(354).

Warrant: Access to clinics may aid and decrease the risk of homeless youth from capturing variety of illnesses.

Qualifier: More access to healthcare clinics for homeless youth will most likely prevent any future illnesses.

Backing: When there are more programs such as shelter care, interventions programs, and clinics, homeless youth can have more access from help.

Rebuttal: Some would say that creating more shelter care, intervention, and clinics for homeless youth would not be beneficial.

Claim: Limited access to healthcare clinics for homeless youth, in America, is a problematic issue because they’re more likely susceptible or at risk of contracting variety of illnesses, when they’re living on the streets.

Ground: According to Edidin, et al. “difficulties accessing adequate and developmentally-appropriate health care contribute to more serious health concerns “(354).

Qualifier: More access to healthcare clinics for homeless youth will most likely prevent any future illnesses.

Warrant: Access to clinics may aid and decrease the risk of homeless youth from capturing variety of illnesses.

Rebuttal: Some would say that creating more shelter care, intervention, and clinics for homeless youth would not be beneficial.

Backing: When there are more programs such as shelter care, interventions programs, and clinics, homeless youth can have more access from help.

Works Cited

“About Standup For Kids.” N.p. Stand Up For Kids. N.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

Edidin, Jennifer, et al. "The Mental And Physical Health Of Homeless Youth: A Literature Review." Child Psychiatry & Human Development 43.3 (2012): 354-375. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.

McManus, Holly H., and Sanna J. Thompson. "Trauma Among Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: The Integration Of Street Culture Into A Model Of Intervention." Journal Of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 16.1 (2008): 92-109. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.

Nebbitt, Von E., et al. "Successful Transitions Of Runaway/Homeless Youth From Shelter Care." Journal Of Child & Family Studies 16.4 (2007): 545-555. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.

Nyamathi, Adeline, et al. "Impact Of Nursing Intervention On Decreasing Substances Among Homeless Youth." American Journal On Addictions 21.6 (2012): 558-565. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.

Sanabria, Jhon J. "Youth Homelessness: Prevention And Intervention Efforts In Psychology." Universitas Psychologica 5.1 (2006): 51-67. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.