NCJ Number
48094
Date Published
1978
Length
80 pages
Annotation
EXPERIENCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO PERSONALITY DISORDERS OR CRIMINALITY ARE REVIEWED, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE DELIVERY ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
A NUMBER OF CAUSES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY DISORDERS AND DELINQUENCY: THE ENVIRONMENT, THE PARENTS, THE INSTITUTIONS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES DEAL WITH, THE CHILD'S PEERS, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH FACTORS. GIVEN SUCH A DIVERSITY OF FACTORS, THE PREVENTION OF CRIMINALITY REQUIRES BROAD AND FAR-REACHING MEASURES. EMPHASIS MUST BE PLACED ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE, ON STRENGTHENING AND NURTURING THE FAMILY, AND ON CONDUCTING WIDESPREAD PREVENTION, DIAGNOSTIC, AND INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES. A MAJOR DIFFICULTY HAS BEEN THAT INSTITUTIONS IN CANADA HAVE, BY ACTING AS SURROGATE PARENTS, HAD NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAMILY LIFE AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE FAMILY. REVERSAL OF THIS DESTRUCTIVE PROCESS WILL REQUIRE THAT THE FAMILY BE REINVOLVED INTEGRALLY IN POLICYMAKING AND SERVICE PROVISION SYSTEMS, THAT THE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEMS BE REINTEGRATED, AND THAT REGIONAL DECENTRALIST POLICIES BE EVOLVED TO FACILITATE THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. MUCH WORK WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED IN THE AREA OF PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED. IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED, AND MORE EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES AND MODES OF DELIVERY WILL BE NEEDED. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND FOR MODEL PROJECTS WILL BE REQUIRED, AND INFORMATION AND SERVICES WILL HAVE TO BE COORDINATED. EMPHASIS MUST BE PLACED ON PROVIDING MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS AND FATHERS, TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PARENTING ABILITIES. INDIVIDUALIZATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED AT EVERY LEVEL. WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE EFFORT TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY AND CRIME IS THE CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS WHICH PREVENT CRIMINAL TENDENCIES FROM DEVELOPING. THIS WILL REQUIRE AN AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PARENTS AND ALL OTHERS WHO COME IN CONTACT WITH PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. APPENDIXES DETAIL THE RESOLUTIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES PERTAINING TO ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES PERTINENT TO THE LEARNING DISABLED CHILD AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. (JAP)