My revisted list for what Farren left Oregon:
Thinking off the top of my head here Why did Farren leave in the first place?
1.) The gay issue and how family would react. If they knew or even were suspicious.
2.) Tension in the family from the divorce. (
@Ciriii57 makes a great point about how young Farren and his sister were at this time. But the beliefs that both sets of parents can inflict, if that divorce is bitter, can scar both a former husband's and former wife's families for a lifetime.)
3.) Biological parents despite no longer living together pitting one against the other.
4.) Mother hated Farren for some reason, wanted him gone. (Maybe it was because of his chosen lifestyle?)
5.) Farren knew he was deserted as a toddler, and felt his maternal grandmother was the only one who treated him with love, kindness, and respect.
6.) Farren didn't want to be a burden to his grandmother, despite his love for her.
7.) Farren did not see a future for him in Oregon. Felt San Francisco was his best choice.
8.) Farren was legal age where he could do what he wanted.
9.) Abuse by a family member that Farren saw, or maybe happened to him and wanted a new life.
10.) Knowing that by staying in Oregon, nothing would change for the better.
11.) Farren's father's and grandfather's work ethic, "You don't miss work unless your dying" statement from the grandfather,
12). No record of any of Farren's paternal family ever looking for him!
13.) Religious conflicts. Farren was an Assembly of God. Learned mother was a strong Baptist. Baptists despise homosexuality. That could have been the ignition of the explosion between Farren and his Mother.
14.) Resentment of Farren leaving school could have been felt by either side.
15.) Not a lot of teen hang out places such as malls, arcades, fast food courts, record stores, video game electronics, or places were Farren could have fun as a late teen in Oregon. But tons of these places in San Francisco! In 1980 these activities were a teen's lifelines!
16.) Farren really and actually did leave to "See the World." But seemingly didn't get very far. I think that more and more, San Francisco was his destination.
We know regardless of which family members cared or didn't care, Farren cared. He called his grandmother's home to say he was safe, and certainly spoke about where he was. Maybe he spent more time in other California cities before residing in San Francisco. California is huge!
I still think that foul play is most likely. If Farren had wanted to leave voluntarily, he would have taken his money, clothes, ID, and other things with him. Not leave them back at the National in his room.
Satch
