Common Motivations of Runaways:

Avoidance - Many people worry about a confrontation, punishment, or embarrassing situation that they think they won’t be able to escape from if they stay.

Escaping - Many youth are stuck in abusive or neglectful situations that they don’t know how to get out of safely.

Defiance - Some runaways say that they left because they were forced to (or about to be forced to) do something they didn’t want to.  For instance move away, go to boarding school, get a job, etc.

Seeking Support - Many leave in order to find people who will be supportive and encourage their pursuits because they aren’t getting that kind of support at home.

For another person - Runaways sometimes leave home to be with someone they aren’t allowed to see anymore, or someone who has moved far away.  It is also common for someone to runaway with a friend who has made the decision to leave because they want to provide company and support.

Finding Distraction - Teens who have runaway sometimes report that they were looking for an adventure, for excitement or to follow their dream.  Usually they have become bored or stressed out with their daily lives so they are looking for distractions.