LEBENSRAUM AND THE SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED (FROM COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS INSTITUTE, 1978 - SEE NCJ-56514)

• NCJ Number: 56524
• Author(s): N F CHAMBERLAIN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Memphis State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THIS PAPER ELABORATES ON THE ISSUE OF LEBENSRAUM (LIVING SPACE) IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADEQUATE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED.

Abstract

LEBENSRAUM, A TERM USED BY THE GERMANS, MEANS ROOM TO LIVE, I.E., SPACE REQUIRED BY A COMMUNITY, INSTITUTION, ORGANISM, OR INDIVIDUAL FOR LIFE, GROWTH, AND ACTIVITY. IF RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS ARE TO EXIST AND SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEM, CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO STIGMATIZATION AND TERRITORIALITY, THE SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE, THE INSTITUTIONAL DILEMMA (INCARCERATION VERSUS DECARCERATION), CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS AND LEGAL ISSUES, LAND USE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, CITY PLANNING, AND PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. STIGMATIZATION REFERS TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP ATTRIBUTE THAT IS DEEPLY DISCREDITING, WITH A STIGMA DEFINED AS A SPECIAL KIND OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ATTRIBUTE AND A STEREOTYPE. STIGMATIZED PERSONS SHARE THE DUAL DISTINCTION OF BEING VIEWED AS DISCREDITED AND DISCREDITABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN STIGMATIZATION AND DEVIANCE. DEVIANCE IMPLIES A DEPARTURE FROM A STANDARD OR THE NORM, WHILE STIGMATIZATION IMPLIES BEING DISCREDITED OR DISCREDITABLE. ONCE IDENTIFIED AS DEVIANT, AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP IS CATGORIZED AND ASSIGNED TO A CERTAIN STATUS. SOCIAL TRENDS AND STATUS LEVELS AFFECT DEVIANCE AND THE INSTITUTIONAL DILEMMA AS WELL. THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE MANY BASIC RIGHTS OF PERSONS CONFINED IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, WHILE ADMINISTRATORS IN THESE FACILITIES ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE THEY CAN NO LONGER BE ARBITRARY OR CAPRICIOUS IN THEIR DECISIONS. WITHOUT ADEQUATE ZONING REGULATIONS, FAMILY AND GROUP CARE FACILITIES ESSENTIAL TO SYSTEMS OF HEALTH CARE, CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION, AND DRUG AND ALCOHOLIC TREATMENT CANNOT BE PROVIDED. LAND USE POLICIES AND PRACTICES ARE BASICALLY DETERMINED BY CITY PLANNING OFFICIALS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. PARTICIPANTS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES INCLUDE PETITIONERS, PLAINTIFFS, PROFESSIONALS, AND POLITICIANS (POWER STRUCTURE). THE CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUE OF LEBENSRAUM DIRECTLY RELATES TO EDUCATION AND THE PHILOSOPHY ABOUT LIFE, GOVERNMENT, SERVICE, AND REHABILITATION. FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)