NCJ Number
62094
Journal
International Child Welfare Review Volume: 38 Issue: 49 Dated: (SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 76-88
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE FAILURE OF THE CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN DEALING WITH DEVIANT JUVENILES IS NOTED, AND WAYS IN WHICH SOCIAL SERVICES CAN BETTER SERVE TROUBLED YOUTH ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
CHILDREN WHO BEHAVE DEVIANTLY AND CRIMINALLY HAVE OFTEN BEEN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED BY THE SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THE CARING, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTHY LIFE ADJUSTMENTS AND COMMITMENTS. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IN REACTING TO THE OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR SPAWNED BY ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SIMPLY PERPETUATES ABUSIVE AND NEGLECTFUL PATTERNS IN DEALING WITH YOUTH. ENLIGHTENED POLICIES ARE NEEDED TO BOLSTER COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS UNIQUELY SITUATED TO PROVIDE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES FOR DEVIANT YOUTH. INCOME SECURITY, HOUSING, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION FOR HUMAN WELFARE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED OR UNDERESTIMATED, AND THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE MORE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND HELPFUL TO CHILDREN. MOREVER, CHILD WELFARE SERVICES SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO HELP A SMALL NUMBER OF DEPRIVED AND DISTURBED CHILDREN. INSTEAD OF EMPLOYING EXTREME OFFICIAL RETALIATORY MEASURES FOR VANDALISM AND DELINQUENCY, EDUCATIONAL, CHILD WELFARE, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SHOULD BE COORDINATED AND INTERRELATED AS A COMMUNITY CARING SYSTEM. COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF SERVICE PROFESSIONS SHOULD OVERRIDE RESTRICTIVE FEATURES OF PROFESSIONAL CODES OF ETHICS, WITH THE RECOGNITION THAT CONTINUITY OF CARING TRANSCENDS ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL CONCERN OF CONSIDERATION. THE CARING PROFESSIONS SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THEIR CONCERNS TO POLITICIANS, GOVERNMENTS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN A FIRM, PERSUASIVE, AND UNRELENTING MANNER. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (RCB)