If this is true, why is it that so many teens today, who have loving families, a solid roof over their heads, and plenty of food to eat, choose to leave all that and move out to live on the streets. I know kids who have chosen to do this, and I often hear sad stories from parents whose children have also chosen this kind of life.

Sometimes, the reason given by the teen for such an action is, “I’m tired of being told what to do.” Or “My parents grounded me for _______.” That blank can be filled with almost anything. Sometimes it is taking the car without permission, swearing at their parents, lying, cheating, fighting with siblings, etc. The teen seems to have no concept that there is such a thing as unacceptable behavior.

I guess my hope, in submitting my question, is that someone out there can explain this whole thing to me. I hear a lot about child abuse, but in the cases I am familiar with, there was no such thing as abuse. It was simply that the child felt totally justified in rebelling against any kind of authority, and I, for one, would like to know why.