The Lived Experience of Adolescents in Homeless Families

The experience of adolescent homelessness is best understood from the perspective of those experiencing it. Although there is existing literature on the experiences of street youths and on the risk factors of youth homelessness, little of it has explored the experience of adolescents in homeless families as well as their strengths and their resources. Through discourse and photography, the research described in this article explored the lived experience of a particular group of adolescents who were living with their homeless families. Through a lens of critical phenomenology using in-depth interviews and photographs, the overarching theme that emerged was how resources, including family, friends, and safety, helped youths stay positive in a challenging situation. The results of this study articulate the self-identified strengths, assets, and coping skills of the cohort, and the perspectives of these adolescents will help professionals identify strategies that may benefit other adolescents in homeless families. This research provides a voice to this vulnerable population, promotes social justice, and informs practice.