Young children in these families have been referred to as latchkey children, because they often wear a house key around their neck. Working people make up approximately one-fifth of the homeless. Domestic violence is often hidden or ignored by society. Today's Youth Respect on the part of adults is critical in helping youth develop self-esteem. Today's teenagers have complex identities that are influenced by their peers, parents, teachers, and community and religious leaders.
Many teenagers begin to work while are re in high school.
Many young people overcome disastrous childhood and adolescent experiences and go on to become successful workers, professionals, and community leaders. This ability to overcome devastating conditions in one's environment is resiliency. Teachers identify resilient students as being social, optimistic, energetic, cooperative, inquisitive, attentive, helpful, punctual, and on task. The development of a healthy sexual self is a complicated process. Students drop out of high school and college for different reasons, but dropping out at either level is harmful to young people in the long term.