How Does Family Conflict Cause Homelessness?

Less than half of the teens who are living in poverty are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender which is also known as LGBT. In more specific amount, 20-40% of homeless youth are LGBT (Thompson 50). The percentages can be shown and proved by the chart below in figure 1. There are many issues contributing to their state, the most contribution is due to family conflict. However, family conflict is a cause for homelessness for all youth, also including LGBT teenagers. 26% of the LGBT teenagers get kicked out of their home because of their sexuality. These reasons assemble these teenagers to be vulnerable to many mental illnesses. When these teenagers are fortunate enough to able to get accepted and approved to be in a shelter system many will
experience harassment along with violence. The staff members who work in these environments have hardly any training with issues the LGBT homeless youth and will often be unprepared to manage help in those situations. (51-52). Consequences of these conflicts are leading to suicide among the LGBT homeless youth. The suicide rate of LGBT homeless youth is 62% compared to heterosexual homeless youth, 29%. Many of shelters for homeless teenagers are faith based, which can make it less possible for homeless teengaers who are LGBT to be accepted into the shelters. (55). “A number of faith-based providers oppose legal and social equality for LGBT people, which raises serious questions about whether LGBT homeless youth can access services in a safe and nurturing environment” (Thompson 56). In order for the LGBT homeless youth to get proper and well assistance staff members of the shelters home will need specialized training in order to manage well any type of homophobic, harassment, or violent situation LGBT homeless youth might encounter when part of the system.