Moving Out, Moving On

Based on rich interview data drawn from a large scale longitudinal study of homeless young people, this book examines the personal, familial and structural factors that impact on homeless young people's long-term outcomes. While telling the personal stories of young people's experiences, the book refers to the wider research and policy literature on youth homelessness, engaging with key debates about the causes and meanings of homelessness in western societies. The book addresses important issues such as employment and education, engagement with services, social support, connection to family and friends, as well as personal factors including physical and mental health, sexual practices and drug use. Homeless young people are typically portrayed as leading chaotic, risky lives, trapped in a downward spiral of drug use, mental and other health problems, and long-term homelessness. By giving voice to young homeless people, this book challenges this stereotype and demonstrates young people's capacity to move out of homelessness and make satisfactory lives for themselves. Research findings are positioned in the context of a broad, international literature on youth homelessness and is important reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of psychology, sociology, youth and social work as well as researchers, policy makers and service providers in all western cultures.

Shelley Mallett is an anthropologist. For the last decade her research has focused on the health, well-being and pathways to employment, education and training of young people experiencing disadvantage. She is currently the General Manager of Research and Social Policy at Melbourne Citymission. She is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Key Centre for Women's Health at the University of Melbourne. Doreen Rosenthal is a developmental psychologist. She was Founding Director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and most recently Professor of Women's Health and Director, Key Centre for Women's Health in Society at the University of Melbourne. In 2003 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to adolescent research and policy. She is now Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne. Deborah Keys is a sociologist with extensive research experience in the field of youth homelessness, particularly motherhood and homelessness among young women. She is currently a Senior Research Officer at Melbourne Citymission. Roger Averill is a freelance writer, researcher and editor. His PhD was on sociological interpretations of biography. He recently published a memoir, Boy He Cry: An Island Odyssey and has a novel scheduled for publication in 2010.

Introduction. Youth Homelessness in Context. Participation and Pathways. Becoming Homeless. On the Street. Using the System. In and Out of Home. Going Home. Conclusion: Interdependence Not Independence.