Seventeen percent of separations in America are due to spousal infidelity. In "Runaways," Lou is informed of her husband's infidelity and is deeply affected by it. " I remember breaking away from my husband's arms and walking over to some bushes. I thought I would never stop crying" (Brennan 584). Immediately after this new discovery, Lou becomes close to Nardo, who plays cards with her husband. During the encounters with Nardo it is clear that Lou is beginning to change herself. This is illustrated in, "[I]nside it was like a sword ripping through me. On the way home that day, I felt unable to breathe. After that, I became thin and beautiful" (584). .
Separation tears apart a family, which is the fundamental unit of American society. It is surprising how close the relationship is between family background and problems such as crime, abuse and neglect, and addictions. By separating from her husband, Lou is not only hurting herself, but she is increasing the risk for her children to become involved in illegal activities. Most astute parents would like to direct their children away from a troubled future. Separation affects the family with negative impacts on education attainment, health, and community life. This is especially apparent when the children do not have a set "home" and are always on the go. They may not be able to settle into a school and get consistent teaching. They could not participate in community sports leagues and other community activities. The negative impact of separation with home life is so strong that children of separated parents struggle as adults to create a positive and healthy family environment for their own children.
Many times when a family becomes separated, the parents do not realize who is really being affected because they are only concentrating on their own frustration. Lou values her relationship as illustrated in "A woman without a husband is like a ship without a sea" (582).