NCJ Number
56449
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS PERSONAL RECOLLECTION OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PROBLEMS WHICH FACED A SHELTER FOR RUNAWAY YOUTH DURING ITS EARLY DAYS GIVES A GRAPHIC PICTURE OF THE TYPE OF FAMILY CONFLICT WHICH PRODUCES RUNAWAY BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
RUNAWAY HOUSE, IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WAS STARTED IN 1968 BY AN ACTIVIST MINISTER AND A FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS WORKER. THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE HOUSE WERE GRANTED THEIR FULL 'CIVIL RIGHTS' AND EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY, TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS, AND TO HELP THEM WORK THROUGH THEIR PROBLEMS. MANY OF THESE ADOLESCENTS HAD BEEN LABELED BY PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS. 'ACTING-OUT DISORDER OF ADOLESCENCE' WAS THE MOST COMMON LABEL BUT OTHERS WERE TOLD THEY HAD A 'PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER,' OR WERE 'HYSTERICAL,' 'SCHIZOID,' OR 'SCHIZOPHRENIC.' A SERIES OF CASE STUDIES DEMONSTRATES THAT OFTEN THE YOUNG PERSON IS THE HEALTHIEST MEMBER OF A VERY SICK FAMILY. FAMILY COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE RECOUNTED IN DETAIL AND THE MYRIAD PROBLEMS WHICH CAN CULMINATE IN RUNNING AWAY ARE THUS DEMONSTRATED. THE LEGAL POWER WIELDED BY PARENTS AND SOCIETY HAVE COMPLEX AND DESTRUCTIVE RAMIFICATIONS. IF THE PARENTS OR THE COURTS SEE THE ADOLESCENT'S BEHAVIOR AS A PROBLEM, THEY OFTEN RESORT TO COMMITTAL TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL OR A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OF SOME KIND. THE YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE ENTRAPPING SYSTEM. PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS RUNAWAY HOUSES ARE ONE OF THE FEW HAVENS FOR THE TROUBLED CHILD. AS SUCH ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BECOME STRONGER THEY HAVE BEGUN TO REACH OUT TO JUDGES, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, POLICE, AND PROBATION AGENCIES TO HELP THEM SEE WHAT DAMAGE THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM CAN DO.