Educational Experiences of Hidden Homeless Teenagers

More than half the homeless youth in America are living "doubled-up" because of economic hardship, often on the brink of full-on homelessness. The findings here give an invaluable look at how this population navigates their education.

Auteur

Ronald E. Hallett is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of the Pacific and a Research Associate in the Center of Higher Education Policy Analysis at the University of Southern California.

Résumé
Homeless youth face countless barriers that limit their ability to complete a high school diploma and transition to postsecondary education. Their experiences vary widely based on family, access to social services, and where they live. More than half of the 1.5 million homeless youth in America are in fact living "doubled-up," staying with family or friends because of economic hardship and often on the brink of full-on homelessness. Educational Experiences of Hidden Homeless Teenagers investigates the effects of these living situations on educational participation and higher education access. First-hand data from interviews, observations, and document analysis shed light on the experience of four doubled-up adolescents and their families. The author demonstrates how complex these residential situations are, while also identifying aspects of living doubled-up that encourage educational success. The findings of this powerful book will give students, researchers, and policymakers an invaluable look at how this understudied segment of the adolescent population navigates their education.

Contenu

1. Introduction

2. Resilience and Homeless Youth

3. Entering their Lives and Homes

I. Shared Residences

4. Isaac's Long Shot

5. Juan Dreams Big

II. Merged Households

6. Kylee Goes with the Flow

7. Marco Plans to be Average

III. Analysis and Implications

8. Influence of Residential Structure

9. Implications for Policy and Practice

10. Epilogue