It is difficult to evaluate the problem of runaway children based on the statistical data currently available. Unlike adults, who are not considered missing until 24 hours have elapsed, children are logged as missing when a call is received. In other words, if a child forgets to tell a parent about going to a friend's house after school and his or her mother calls the police, that child is logged as missing immediately. In addition, there is no data recorded to report the reason for being missing. Runaways, abductions and forgetful children are all reflected in the report below.
Rebellion is a normal part of growing up.
It is not unusual for adolescents to consider running away as a solution to a myriad of problems that they encounter as they mature. Children think their options are limited. Running away seems like a solution they can handle. We do not really know why children run away. Professionals who provide services for homeless teens believe that a large percentage of them run away to escape violent, dysfunctional or unhappy environments.