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For many young women between 15 to 19 years of age their main concerns are school, friends and – especially at this time of year – holidays.
But for others these formative years are cut short and growing up means having to face adult issues a little earlier than usual and in less than ideal circumstances.
A report into services for the homeless has found that a high number of women are contacting a range of public organisations to ask for assistance.
According to a report conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) – titled, Government-funded specialist homelessness services SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2010-11 – about one in every 97 Australians or 230,500 individuals utilise social welfare programs and services dedicated to homeless people.
And while it is difficult to obtain exact figures, the report's authors have suggested that roughly 62 per cent of all visitors were 'clients' – male or female individuals – and 38 per cent children accompanying their main carer.
It was also found that the majority of clients were young women, representing one in every 40 clients.
Geoff Neideck, spokesperson of the AIHW, explained: "The group with the highest rate of use was females aged 15-19."
"This group, unaccompanied women, women with children, and young people all commonly sought assistance because of interpersonal issues, such as domestic violence or the breakdown of a relationship."
Mr Neideck also said that the number of people accessing services, as well as the length of time they spent under the care or supervision of professionals has both gone up.
"There has been a small increase in the overall rate of Australians using specialist homelessness services, from one in every 110 Australians, to one in every 97. There has also been an increase in the average length of support," he asserted.
When it comes to men, it was mostly those aged 25 and over that sought help often due to problems with drugs, alcohol and substance use, and finances.
While the average age of clients rose within the year 2010-11, it seems that many young Australians are turning to life on the streets in order to move away from difficult home environments.
The report is a statistical overview of the percentage of people accessing services and at-risk-social demographics, however, the results are part of a broader study into homelessness that aims to improve the lives of people and women around the country.