WELCOME students to another lesson in the Open School on Runaways. The school is open to parents, guardians, teachers, students and members of the public. This is the ninth in a series of lessons which is done in the Open school every two weeks. It is my hope that students will acquire knowledge and a better understanding of Runaways.
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to (a) explain, in a simple sentence, who are referred to as Runaways (b) list two reasons why children run away from home.
At the end of the lesson, we will reflect on how much we have learnt through a simple evaluation.
In recent times in St. Lucia, young girls have been running away from home. Indeed, children have been running away from home and school ever since. But the regularity with which children run away from home nowadays, is very concerning.
But who is referred to as a runaway? A runaway is a person who run away, especially from their family or institution.
During my many years of teaching in St. Lucia, I have known many children who have run away from home and from school. Most of them are girls.
But why do children run away from home or school? In the more recent cases, it would be interesting to know the reasons why they run away from home.
Now let us begin with home. I present some reasons why children run away from home as follows: lack of love, abuse in the family, parents separating or divorcing, the arrival of a new stepparent, death in the family, family financial worries, kids or parents drinking alcohol or taking drugs, problems at school, peer pressure.
Let me start with lack of love in the home. The two young girls who run away from home recently caused their mother to say, in the media, how much they love them. “We love you, and we would like you to come back home”. As human beings, we all like to be loved. And that love could be expressed in different ways at home. Recognising the positive or good things the children do, applauding the good performance at school, or just telling them you love them would go a long way. It’s not part of our culture to look our children in the eye and tell them that you love them.
Abuse or violence in the home or family is a prime reason why children run away from home. It may be physical or sexual abuse. When children commit an offence at home, the first response of parents is to beat up on them, give them a good scolding; beat them with sticks, pots, pans, anything they can lay their hands on. This is no joke!
When children commit an offence at home, we should call them aside and speak to them with love. Bring them to understand that what they have done is wrong and why, and let them tell you how they can correct the mistake. That should be the first approach. Many times, the bad behaviour of children is because of tension which may be existing within the family itself. In other words, provide counselling.
Sexual abuse within the family may be a reason why children behave badly or run away from home. The tension or stressors brought about by the abuse is too much for them to cope. As a result, they free themselves from the situation, and run away from home or the family.
Another reason why children run away from home is because of divorce or separation of parents. Now it is well known that girls become very attached to their fathers. And when they leave the home, particularly unannounced, the emotions rub heavily on them, or they may even commit suicide.
Many years ago, while studying in Trinidad and Tobago, very often we heard of young girls taking their own lives in the Indian communities. And that happened regularly. There may have been other reasons. But we cannot rule out the lack of a father figure at home. The same is true about boys and their mothers who suddenly leave home.
A new stepparent is another reason why children run away from home. The stepdad or stepmom may have difficulty relating to the children, particularly if he or she comes with a stepchild. The two cultures may clash, and continuous misunderstandings may occur.
Death in the family may create a problem for children. A loving parent or sibling passing away could be traumatic for children and that could cause them to run away from home.
Financial worries may be another reason why children may run away from home. There may not be enough money to buy food or clothing, or other necessities needed by children. They may have to go to school without books and share with their classmates which could be frustrating. Similarly, they may not be able to contribute to class activities that require a contribution from home. They may not even be able to receive a gift for their birthday or new clothes at Christmas.
Parents or kids drinking alcohol or taking drugs could be a repellent to children in the family. A parent or sibling who is always ‘high’ on alcohol or drugs could be very worrying for a child. That situation has many related problems which time and space does not allow me to discuss in this article.
Problems at school could be a dominant problem for children. The teacher may not be getting through to them in the teaching and learning function. To make things worse they may come under heavy corporal punishment for their inability to assimilate or absorb the instruction being imparted to them.
Indeed, I have written on the abolition of corporal punishment in school.
Peer pressure could influence children to the extent that they may run away from home.
Now some questions for you.
(a) Who is referred to as a runaway? (b) Give two reasons why children run away from home.