Examines, using a qualitative case study of stories printed in "The New York Times," the social construction of "runaway youth" in print media during 1960-1978. Finds that running away was an unconstructed problem (or simmering social condition) in the early 1960s and featured harmless adventures. Contributes to the "runaway" discourse in general; and situates discourse about runaways as predecessor to that of "missing children" documented by other researchers. (SG)