This book explores from a psychosocial perspective homeless/runaway young people and their families. It quantitatively analyzes data drawn from 602 interviews with homeless young people and with 201 of their parents or guardians. The research was conducted in the Midwest of the USA. The first part of the book (Part 1) examines through existing literature the extent of homelessness in the USA (Chapter 1) and provides an overview of the project and respondents (Chapter 2). In Part 2, the book looks at the home lives of the young people and the reasons for leaving (Chapter 3); generational family problems (Chapter 4) and intergenerational family relationships (Chapter 5). Part 3 looks at the social networks of young people once away from home (Chapter 6); the tactics used to survive on the street (Chapter 7); sexual relationships - their causes and consequences on the street (Chapter 8); and becoming a victim of crime or abuse on the street (Chapter 9). The final part of the book (Part 4) identifies the psychological problems caused by street life (Chapter 10) and using drugs (Chapter 11). The book concludes by offering a "risk-amplification developmental model" of the effects of youth homelessness (Chapter 12) and discussion of the, often depressing, future for these young people and calls for national attention to be placed on alleviating the hardships of young homeless people. (Chapter 13).