"In a field work placement as a student, this writer had his first experience in serving Runaways. This aroused questions such as: who are these people who run away; what are their family backgrounds; how do they come to the Atlanta Travelers Aid Society; how does that agency help them; and what becomes of them after leaving that agency. In an attempt to find answers to these questions several case records of Runaways were read. It was found that the details of working out solutions to each individual Runaway's problems obscured the general characteristics of the Runaways as a group and the services offered them. It is the purpose of this study to compile, in statistical form, the measurable data from the case records of all Runaways known to the Atlanta Travelers Aid Society in a one year period. These data are presented in a manner that will permit their comparison with the data found in other studies of Runaways and studies of non-runaway groups"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "May 16, 1952." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work." / Advisor: J. Benjamin Beyrer, Professor Directing Study. / Graduate study in social work. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-45).

Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 191-201).

The street child drama being played out on South African streets continues the process of victimisation begun in the families and communities. Deprivation, poverty, and disorganisation are just some of the characteristics evident in the families and communities of street children . The decision to opt for street life in exchange for the grinding poverty and hardships of family and community life, is a stark illustration of children who have no other options, but a life on the streets. The process of becoming a street child ends with the runaway episode and opens new vistas of victimisation for street children .on the streets. One process ends therefore, and another one begins. It is argued in this study that street children are doubly victimised. Victimisation in the streets sets in motion the process of engaging , in deviant careers, which engenders further victimisation . Three themes are evident in the present study, these are causation, victimisation and deviance. From the discussion of these themes it is possible to construct a social profile of street children, before and after street life . Chapter one introduces the subject for study by discussing the background to the study, rationale behind it, aims, theoretical assumptions and definitions of relevant constructs . Chapter two reviews the literature on street children with specific reference to the causation, victimisation and deviance themes. Chapter three provides a methodological account of the research procedure. Chapters four and five present the findings from the empirical study. The perceptions of street children and service providers are discussed within a symbolic interactionistic perspective and highlight the victimisation and deviance themes in the study. Chapter six contains the recommendations and conclusions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1995.

Much of prevailing research on street children pertains to their experiences at home prior to their abode on the streets, as well as their ordeal on the streets once they have departed from their homes. Only a few studies highlight their experiences in rehabilitation centres. Hence no study was undertaken to explore factors that contribute to their departure from rehabilitation centres and return to the streets. The aim of the study was to determine why do some of the street children who were formerly placed in the rehabilitation centres return to the streets. Thus the objectives of the study were to (a) determine the norms and values that are applicable in the centres and (b) determine whether their tendency of returning to the streets results from their negative perception of certain factors in the centres, as well as their desire to resume the life that they adopted on the street prior to their placement in the centres. The sample comprised of sixteen street children who have previously resided in the centres. Focus group interviews were adopted as data collection techniques, and the children were subjected to four focus group interviews. A semi-structured interview was also conducted to one of the caregivers in the centre. A Grounded Theory Approach, which is an integration of the methods proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990), Glaser (1992), Creswell (1998) and Strauss and Corbin (1998), was utilised for the analysis of the interviews. The findings evinced that the children's departure from the centres and return to the streets culminated from their familiarity with street life, desire to return home, discontentment with some of the living conditions in the centres, ill-treatment by the police and older boys, as well as their desire to resume street life, that is, to partake in income-generation activities and to be reunited with other children who reside on the streets. Much of their interaction with the caregivers also contributed to their retreat from the centres. The caregivers subjected them to discrimination, ill-treatment, false accusations, humiliation, restriction and threatened to transfer them to another centre. In addition to the above- mentioned factors, there were unanticipated findings that also emerged during the study. The findings were clustered as follows: factors that influenced the children to leave the centre and return home, factors that influenced the children to leave their homes and reside on the streets, factors that influenced the children to leave the streets and reside in the centre and factors that influenced the children to leave their homes and return to the streets. Therefore, the children's negative perception of the conditions that they were subjected to in the centres contributed to their return to the streets, as they related well with other street children and were able to earn an income on the streets. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Psychology / unrestricted

Thesis (Ph. D. in Sociology)--Vanderbilt University, May 2007. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1988. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Herve Varenne. Dissertation Committee: Paul Byers. Bibliography: leaves 112-115.

Thesis (M.C.S.)--Regent College, 1990. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-129).

Because of the relative uniqueness of the runaway experience as it now exists, minimal current research information is available. It was our feeling that knowledge about runaways, their families, and the social agencies which serve them is essential if significant prevention and treatment for the problem were to be implemented by the community. The purpose and scope of this exploratory research was essentially two-fold; to contribute descriptive information about runaway youth and their families to the community, and to evaluate the current populations of two agencies which service them. An underlying goal throughout the research was to utilize the data collected to identify trends in runaway behavior, increase the potential for predictability, and provide some real insight into prevention techniques. Our informal hypothesis was that there is a significant difference in specific variables between runaway and non-runaway populations. We were interested in developing a typology of runaways, identifying those factors which increase a child's probability that he/she will run away. Finally, we wanted to know if different agencies tend to serve a particular kind of runaway who has specific characteristics. These constituted the major goals for this research practicum. Since most law enforcement and social service energy is spent at the point of crisis, this research sought to identify trends in the scope of the problem which would aid preventative services for runaways. Hopefully, the impact of this practicum will influence crucial issues in terms of family dynamics, treatment intervention, community resources, and delinquency prevention. The results of this study will be distributed to the participating agencies and other interested segments of the community. Probably more detailed hypothesis testing will be needed; however, this study forms a base of information for future research. Better assessment of meeting the problem by evaluating all existing services should be a continuing focus for the social service community.

This research study employs explorative and descriptive qualitative research conducted in a naturalistic environment to identify factors that drive children from their homes to the streets of Bulawayo city suburban in Zimbabwe. The research study answers the question: How do children`s experiences drive them from their homes and why do they decide to live on the streets of Bulawayo city centre? Literature search was conducted after data collection to confirm findings. Data collection was conducted at Thuthuka Street Children`s project where an increase in the number of registered street children has been observed. Purposive sample selection of street children was conducted. Selection criteria was based on the participant being registered with Thuthuka Street Children`s Project, for one year being on and off the streets and volunteer to participate. Ethical consideration such as fairness justice and honest were observed. Soundness to establish trustworthiness rather than validity, the following alternative constructs were applied, credibility, transferability, dependability, conformability and authenticity. Focus group discussions using a guide with open-ended questions were conducted to collect data from 12 street children, which was then analysed by coding into themes, notably forms of abuse such as emotional, physical, and sexual and neglect, poverty, deviant behaviour and future plans. Children went onto the streets because they suffered abuse, and/or wanted freedom without parental dominance and to acquire fast riches in the streets. Based on the conclusions, the research makes recommendations from the participants and the researcher to policymakers, non-governmental organisations, parents and social workers, to address this deep-seated problem. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

This research study employs explorative and descriptive qualitative research conducted in a naturalistic environment to identify factors that drive children from their homes to the streets of Bulawayo city suburban in Zimbabwe. The research study answers the question: How do children`s experiences drive them from their homes and why do they decide to live on the streets of Bulawayo city centre? Literature search was conducted after data collection to confirm findings. Data collection was conducted at Thuthuka Street Children`s project where an increase in the number of registered street children has been observed. Purposive sample selection of street children was conducted. Selection criteria was based on the participant being registered with Thuthuka Street Children`s Project, for one year being on and off the streets and volunteer to participate. Ethical consideration such as fairness justice and honest were observed. Soundness to establish trustworthiness rather than validity, the following alternative constructs were applied, credibility, transferability, dependability, conformability and authenticity. Focus group discussions using a guide with open-ended questions were conducted to collect data from 12 street children, which was then analysed by coding into themes, notably forms of abuse such as emotional, physical, and sexual and neglect, poverty, deviant behaviour and future plans. Children went onto the streets because they suffered abuse, and/or wanted freedom without parental dominance and to acquire fast riches in the streets. Based on the conclusions, the research makes recommendations from the participants and the researcher to policymakers, non-governmental organisations, parents and social workers, to address this deep-seated problem. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)