Homeless People: Youth in Australia

Abstract

In Australia youth homelessness first emerged in the mid-1970s, and it is estimated that over 30000 young people are currently homeless. Three explanations for youth homelessness are commonly put forward. The first ascribes youth homelessness to individual behaviour, the second to structural factors, and the third to situational factors. While the Australian public tend to equate youth homelessness with street kids, the majority of young people have a short experience of homelessness. Researchers have tried to explain why young people experience homelessness for different lengths of time by thinking about homelessness as a process. Using this idea, two different pathways young people travel into and through homelessness have been identified. The first pathway is travelled by young people who become homeless because of conflict arising from resistance to parental control. This group of young people typically remain connected to the mainstream, principally through school; distance themselves from other homeless people (the homeless subculture); and often have a short experience of homelessness. In contrast, young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, or trauma become homeless at a younger age and often engage with other homeless people as a way of overcoming their isolation. This group typically has a long experience of homelessness. The longer young people are homeless the more likely they are to adapt their behaviour to the contingencies of day-to-day life. This can make extrication more difficult. Thinking about homelessness as a process has resulted in a strong policy emphasis on early intervention.