NCJ Number
52405
Journal
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 237-247
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THEIR TREATMENT BY THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM AND BY THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSION ARE ADDRESSED.
Abstract
CHILDREN HANDLED THROUGH THE COURTS ARE EVIDENCE OF SOCIETY'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A HEALTHY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL LIFE. THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM WAS ORIGINALLY BASED UPON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS CRIMINALS AND THAT SOCIETY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR. THERE IS A TREND TO CHANGE THESE ASSUMPTIONS TO GIVE JUVENILES SWIFT AND PROLONGED PUNISHMENT. PROFESSIONALS HAVE NO EASY TASK IN TREATING SOCIAL AND MENTAL PROBLEMS THAT SURFACE IN COURTS. KNOWLEDGE OF THE MECHANICS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS LIMITED, AND THE CONCEPT OF TREATMENT IS ILL-DEFINED. THE LIVES OF DELINQUENTS AND CRIMINALS ON THE STREET HAVE DESTROYED THEIR ABILITY TO EMPATHIZE WITH OTHER HUMAN BEINGS. THE WAY NEGLECTED AND DISTURBED CHILDREN THINK SOCIETY FEELS ABOUT THEM DETERMINES HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT SOCIETY. A SINGLE-MINDED THERAPEUTIC APPROACH IS QUESTIONED, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CERTAIN TREATMENT MODALITIES SUCH AS COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. EVEN IF SERVICES ARE PROVIDED, QUESTIONS REMAIN AS TO WHAT CHILDREN REALLY NEED AND WHERE FUNDS AND ENERGIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN. THE FIRST PRIORITY IN DISTRIBUTING JUSTICE TO CHILDREN SHOULD BE THE PROVISION OF AN ADEQUATE INCOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. THE ADVANTAGES OF DISTRIBUTING INCOME DIRECTLY IS THAT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN PRIVATE LIVES SHOULD DECREASE. (DEP)