NCJ Number
67350
Date Published
1980
Length
52 pages
Annotation
TO ASSESS NEEDS FOR YOUTH SERVICE DELIVERY, THIS REPORT DESCRIBES BAINBRIDGE AND BLACKWELL, TWO POOR RICHMOND, VA., NEIGHBORHOODS, AND DISCUSSES CITIZEN ATTITUDES AND PROBLEMS.
Abstract
BAINBRIDGE AND BLACKWELL HAVE MANY PROBLEMS COMMON TO POOR NEIGHBORHOODS, SUCH AS MUCH DILAPIDATED OR PUBLIC HOUSING. BAINBRIDGE IS A RACIALLY CHANGING AND DECLINING NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MANY TRANSIENTS; ITS CITIZENS FEEL POWERLESS AND CONTROLLED BY OTHERS SUCH AS THE CITY GOVERNMENT. BLACKWELL IS A BLACK COMMUNITY WITH MANY POOR AREAS BUT SOME WELL-KEPT SECTIONS; MANY CITIZENS ARE POLITICALLY ACTIVE AND DO NOT FEEL HELPLESS. CITIZENS OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES ARE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER, BUT PERSIST IN BLAMING LOCAL PROBLEMS ON OTHERS, WHICH HAS A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON SERVICE DELIVERY. THE MOST COMMON SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN BOTH NEIGHBORHOODS ARE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, WELFARE ROLLS, AND ILLEGITIMATE BIRTH RATES, CROWDED HOUSING, AND CRIME. BOTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CITIZENS OF BAINBRIDGE AND BLACKWELL BLAME THESE PROBLEMS ON A BREAKDOWN IN THE FAMILY AND THE TENDENCY OF YOUTH TO BE UNREALISTIC ABOUT IMPROVING LIFE AND THE COMMUNITY. EXAMINATION OF HOW RESIDENTS SUFFERING THESE PROBLEMS VIEW THE WORLD AND LIVE REVEALS FEELINGS OF HELPLESSNESS; IRRESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS, ESPECIALLY FATHERS, TOWARD CHILDREN; AN UNREALISTIC ATTITUDE ABOUT THE FUTURE COUPLED WITH AN UNWILLINGNESS TO WORK FOR IT; MUCH PHYSICAL CONFLICT, A LACK OF STRUCTURE TO LIFE (SUCH AS NO SET TIMES FOR MEALS OR SLEEPING FOR CHILDREN); AND EMPHASIS ON THE PRESENT RATHER THAN THE PAST OR FUTURE. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT CITIZENS SHOULD BE QUERIED ABOUT THEIR REQUIREMENTS AND ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO REDUCE HELPLESSNESS AND IRRESPONSIBILITY. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED, WITH MUCH ONE-TO-ONE CONTACT BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN AND TRAINED ADULTS, WHO WILL INTRODUCE STRUCTURE INTO THE CHILDREN'S LIVES IN PALATABLE WAYS. AN APPENDIX AND 10 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.