NCJ Number
68368
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND JUVENILE COURTS WILL FACE IN THE 1980'S AND SUGGESTS STEPS TO COMBAT THESE PROBLEMS.
Abstract
THE GREATEST PROBLEM FACING SCHOOLS IS AN ECONOMIC CRISIS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A DECLINING TAX BASE. THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS PROVIDED BY THE STATES FOR CHILDREN ARE LITTLE MORE THAN WAREHOUSES AND ACADEMIES FOR CRIME. THE PAPER DISCUSSES PROBLEMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONFUSION AND THE REBELLION OF ADOLESCENTS WHEN JUDICIAL AND EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITIES CONFLICT WITH ONE ANOTHER. FIRST, WE NEED THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE PROBLEM CHILD. SECONDLY, WE NEED NEW APPROACHES TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE REGARDING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. THIRDLY, WE NEED TO REPLACE THE PARENT SUBSTITUTE ROLE OF THE COURTS AND SCHOOLS IN DISCIPLINING CHILDREN WITH NEW DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION FACT FINDING AND DISCIPLINING PROCEDURES. FINALLY, WE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF A GREATER NUMBER OF DEVIANTS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL AND JUSTICE PROGRAMS. TODAY'S CHILDREN SEEM TO HAVE AS MUCH NAIVETE ABOUT THE LAW AS CHILDREN A FEW GENERATIONS AGO HAD ABOUT SEX. THE PAPER CONCLUDES THAT CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A COMMON EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THEIR NEEDS AS TOTAL HUMAN BEINGS BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT SOCIETY. EDUCATION AND JUSTICE MUST COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER OR WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO DEMAND THE BEST RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN. (JLF)