‘They’re not bad kids, they just make bad choices’
Teens, particularly those aged between 11 and 14, have the tendency to run away from home due to their inability to handle conflicting social pressures and demands as they experience changes in their body due to puberty.
“This is because youth at that age are experiencing an identity crisis as they go through physical and psychological changes,” said criminologist Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar.
He said not all teens run away because they were involved in drugs abuse or criminal activities.
He said although police statistics in the past had shown that runaway teens was serious among those aged between 13 and 17, teens aged between 11 and 14 actually made up the bigger number.
Akhbar said teens in that age group were searching for meaning and direction in their life.
“In most cases, the questions revolve around body images, identities and the way of life.
“At the same time, they are vulnerable and impressionable to external factors and can easily fall prey to criminal activities,” he told the New Sunday Times.
He said some teenagers run away from home because they seek freedom and want to escape from problems at home.
“Other causes are peer group influence, family pressure or lack of parental guidance,” he said.
Parents, he said, should pay attention to the needs of their teenage children.
“Parents should be the ones their children go to when they seek support and encouragement.
“Parents are a child’s first teacher and should remain as his or her best teacher throughout life.”
He said parents should refrain from asserting materialism in their children’s lives and making judgments about other people, which could harm them as the wrong values could be the ones they seek later in life.
“Also, be present in their life on social media and make a point to know who their friends are.
“Try to have dinner together, at least once a week, as it is a form of official meeting, besides strengthening family bonds,” he said.
Akhbar advised parents to report to police within 24 hours, or earlier, if they believed their kids had ran away from home.
“Report to the authorities and inform other family members, relatives, the children’s friends and everyone who knows them ... get their help to provide information on their whereabouts.
“Search in places they are likely to go and always look out for incoming calls in case they are from the child,” he said.
When the teens return home, he said parents should assure their children that they are willing to resolve any problem together.
“Listen to them and show them how you feel without patronising them.
“If there were wrongs done on the parents’ part, admit them and be open to reconciliation,” he said.
“Children run away not because they are bad, but due to bad decisions,” he said.