HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHILD A DELINQUENT?

• NCJ Number: 60346
• Author(s): S TOMKIEWICZ; J FINDER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: French
• Country: France
• Note: PAPER PUBLISHED FOR THE EXPOSITION 'TOWN AND CHILD', HELD OCTOBER 26, 1977 TO FEBRUARY 13, 1978

Annotation

COUNSEL IS PROVIDED TO PARENTS ON EARLY PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELIQUENCY.

Abstract

WHILE SOCIAL INEQUALITIES, INJUSTICE, POVERTY, NEGLECT, RAPID URBANIZATION, AND BORING WORK CONTRIBUTE TO JUVENILE DELIQUENCY, THE IMMEDIATE INFLUENCE OF PARENTS PLAYS A PROFOUND ROLE. NUMEROUS FACTORS AFFECT THE CHILD EVEN IN INFANCY: WHETHER HIS MOTHER SEEKS PROPER PRENATAL CARE, WHETHER HIS PARENTS WANT HIM, WHETHER HE RECEIVES ADEQUATE ATTENTION AND PHYSICAL CONTACT, WHETHER HE HAS RECEIVED CARE CONSISTENTLY FROM A RELIABLE CARE GIVER, AND WHETHER HE HAS BEEN TOILET-TRAINED WITH EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PUNISHMENT. A YOUNG CHILD CAN BE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED BY ONE PARENT'S JEALOUSY OF THE CHILD'S LOVE FOR THE OTHER, BY PARENTS' EXAGGERATED DISAPPROVAL OF LOVE FOR FRIENDS OF THE CHILD'S OWN SEX OR EXPLORATION OF HIS OWN BODY, AND BY EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT OF THE CHILD WHEN HE GETS DIRTY, FIGHTS, OR REFUSES TO FIGHT. OTHER INFLUENTIAL FACTORS INCLUDE THE INABILITY OF THE HOME OR SCHOOL TO PROVIDE INSPIRING ROLE MODELS, THE FAILURE OF PARENTS TO PRAISE THE CHILD AND THEIR OFFERING OF CONSTANT CRITICISM, THE PARENT'S PUNISHMENT OF THE CHILD FOR OBSCENITIES WHICH HE LEARNED FROM THEM, AND PARENTS' FAILURE TO ANSWER THE CHILD'S QUESTIONS. CHOICE OF A STERN DOCTOR FOR A SICK CHILD AND TALK ABOUT EMBARRASSING MEDICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS BED-WETTING, CONSTANT CRITICISM OF THE CHILD'S PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL WITHOUT CONCERN ABOUT HIS SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, AND THREATS TO THE CHILD ABOUT REFORM SCHOOL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHILD'S EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CHILD ENTERS PUBERTY, HIS DEVELOPMENT CAN BE SERIOUSLY DISTURBED IF HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO GO OUT WITH MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, IF HE IS THREATENED WITH TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR MASTURBATION, AND IF HE IS TOLD INCESSANTLY THAT A REAL MAN MUST OVERCOME BASE INSTINCTS. IN THE END, THE UNLOVED CHILD LOVES NONE, AND THE UNLOVING PARENT DISCLAIMS THE ADOLESCENT AT HIS FIRST ARREST, LEAVING HIM ENTIRELY WITHOUT SUPPORT. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)