NCJ Number
66127
Date Published
1979
Length
220 pages
Annotation
CASE HISTORIES OF EIGHT JUVENILE DELINQUENTS INCARCERATED IN A CANADIAN TRAINING SCHOOL ILLUSTRATE THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIETAL STRUCTURE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF FAMILIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SOCIAL ORDER.
Abstract
BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH DELINQUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND PSYCHIATRISTS, THE BOOK DETERMINES THAT TROUBLED ADOLESCENTS COMMIT DELINQUENT ACTS IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES WITH THE PURPOSE OF REINSTATING THEMSELVES WITHIN THE FAMILY. THE IMPETUS FOR THE DISPROPORTIONATE INCARCERATION OF LOWER-CLASS CHILDREN ARISES FROM THE TENSIONS AND CONTRADICTIONS FACING POOR FAMILIES AND THE ABSENCE OF SOCIAL PRESSURES AMONG LOWER-CLASS PARENTS TO REINSTATE THEIR CHILDREN IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL RESPECTABILITY. THE FUNCTION OF SOCIETY IN THIS WORKING CLASS DISEASE IS TO SHIFT BLAME AWAY FROM ITSELF BY BLAMING EITHER THE CHILDREN OR THEIR PARENTS, AND THEN TO POSE AS THE CURER (VIA THE TRAINING SCHOOL SYSTEM) OF DELINQUENCY. BECAUSE SUCH INSTITUTIONS TREAT THE SYMPTOMS OF DISTURBANCE RATHER THAN THE CAUSES, THEIR FAILURE IS INEVITABLE. THE RANDOM AND NIHILISTIC ASSAULTS ON PERSONS AND PROPERTY COMMITTED BY THESE EIGHT DELINQUENTS ARE VIEWED FROM AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. ANTHROPOLOGY HAS LONG ESTABLISHED THAT THE PRIME MOTIVATOR OF HUMANKIND IS THE STRUGGLE FOR ESTEEM. THE POVERTY, HUMILIATION, AND INSECURITY THAT ARE THE LOT OF THE LOWER CLASSES PRECIPITATE THE DELINQUENCY OF SOCIETY, OF THE FAMILY AND OF THE CHILD. BECAUSE TENSIONS AND HUMILIATIONS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ORDER, SOCIETY CAN EXPECT FEW OF THE CHILDREN DESCRIBED IN THIS TEXT TO BE HELPED. METHODOLOGICAL NOTES AND A REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ARE APPENDED. FOOTNOTES AND 28 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)