RESEARCH on runaway children in America has, to date, offered limited help to practitioners who work with such young people and their families. A typology that will facilitate the organization of factual data is needed. Using a broad historical perspective, this article analyzes the development of the problem and recent dramatic increases in the number of runaways. A typology is presented that classifies runaways according to the level of alienation between child and family and the degree to which the child has internalized running as a response to stressful situations. Treatment suggestions appropriate to each category are discussed.
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