A review of the history and literature about the runaway child in America reveals that young people from poor families have always viewed running away as a reasonable way of leaving a poverty stricken home. For many adolescents, running away has been a response to an unhealthy family or work situation, and at times it has been a problem-solving behavior. Since early colonial days, running away has been synonymous with seeking adventure, romance and one's fortune. Last but not least, running away has been an expression of independence, often marking a passage into adulthood. Periods of great social, economic, cultural and political change have always fostered runaway behavior, and periods of war have also contributed to this syndrome. It is time to change the current legal and clinical definitions concerning the runaway child in America. While running away may be an indication of inadequate social or psychological development for limited number of youths, there is evidence to suggest that for many adolescents, it may more accurately represent a positive reaction to serious problems or a natural reaction to certain predictable societal forces. (Author)