From Latchkey Kid to Homeless Teenager?

I wonder sometimes about human nature.

A teenage boy came into my office not too long ago.  He was probably 16 or 17 years old, but looked much younger.  He caught my eye immediately because of his lost expression.

“My mom kicked me out today,” he said.  “I don’t have anywhere to stay.  What do I do?”

My first instinct was to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay.  Anything to take that shine of tears out of his eyes.  But he was only barely holding onto his composure as it was and I’m sure he would have resented any show of pity.  Instead, I gave him the phone number to social assistance and told him exactly what to say to make sure that he would be taken care of.

This is not the first time I’ve encountered a homeless child.  One of the youth I mentored this past year was kicked out at 17, only a month after I met him.  His addict mother assured him that he was now old enough to take care of himself, despite the fact that he was still in high school. 

And this is in Canada.  This is not a poor community overall, although unemployment is high.  But still I wonder, why would a parent decide that a child still in school is able to fend for themselves?

We see incidences in the news of child labour, or forced marriages, or child abandonment.  The most sensational cases of kidnappings and child abuse are always well promoted.  Why does this even happen?  What kind of person looks at a child and thinks: “Here is someone who is dependent on me for everything.  How can I betray their trust?”

Maybe these are all gradual things.  A parent needs to work shifts, so gets their 10 year old a key.  Then leaves $20 on the table each morning for the 13 year old to buy supper.  Then has the 15 year old get a job to contribute to the household bills.  By 17, it may seem logical to send them out on their own.

No matter how precocious, or mouthy, or self-centered a teenager is, they are still children and deserve to know that there is always a place they can call home, where someone will be willing to take care of them.

Anti-Bullying Law Supports GSAs, Even in Catholic Schools

I know someone who works as a teacher in an Ontario Catholic school board.  If a student were to approach him and say that she/he was gay, or gender-confused, or anything related, he is obligated not only to refuse to answer any of that student’s questions, but to send them to see the school counsellor. 

That response may have to change.  This morning, June 5, 2012, an anti-bullying bill, also known as Bill 13 or the Accepting Schools Act, was passed through the Ontario legislature by a margin of 65-36.  This bill amends the province’s Education Act by removing the school veto over the establishment of student run anti-homophobia clubs, or Gay-Straight Alliances.

As may have been expected, the Catholic Church has not been pleased by this bill as they believe Catholic schools should be allowed to combat bullying in their own way.  But how? At the moment, Catholic schools don’t even acknowledge their gay students.  In fact, while the Church acknowledges that any form of bullying is ‘unacceptable’, they also call homosexuality ‘intrinsically disordered’.  Is that not a form of bullying in itself?

This is a great step in the right direction.  Now that no school board, principal or teacher can block the formation of a GSA, maybe dialogue will increase in schools to raise awareness in the public, private and religious sectors.  I have always believed that education is a key factor in building understanding and compassion, and hopefully this bill will succeed in that aim.