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They feel this is a privilege granted
only to the wealthy. As a resu lt
many young blacks, especially, have
nothing but con tempt and dis–
respect for all law and constituted
authority and have become mili–
tants. They regard the laws of the
land as merely "white" ideas from
"the man" - the white estab–
lishment - to keep the blacks an
oppressed group.
Ts it any wonder why sorne gheuo
youths have chosen crime as a way
of life? They simply feel there are
few options left open to them,
whether in the home or in society.
Without a doubt, much crime is
rooted in the ghetto. But the sober
fact is that crime is also on the in–
crease among juveni les in the
middle and upper strata of society.
Professor and Mrs. Sheldon Glueck,
eminent criminologists of H arvard
University Law School, have stated
that the cause for crime in the
middle and upper strata is basically
the same as in the slums.
Many financially able mothers
neglect their children just as much
as ghetto mothers do. And for all
the time sorne of the fathers of these
youngsters spend with them, the
fathers might as well not be living at
borne.
What can be done about these
major causes of crime?
The Unmaking of a Youthful
Criminal
The Gluecks unequivocally state
that a child's paramount need is
pa–
rental affection.
It cannot be re–
placed with money spent for
playthings. Parents are only kidding
themselves
if
they think they can
express love by bribing a child or
showering him with material goods.
Nothing can compensate for day–
by-day parental love and concern.
And that takes time.
The solution to the problem of
juvenile delinquency is
not
to lock
young people up in jails. The solu–
tion is
not
to spend more money
20
building juvenile courts and cor–
rectional institutions. Such answers
merely treat the
effect
and ignore
the cause.
As parents, it is your job to estab–
lish good rapport with your chil–
dren. You need to realize that each
child is a unique personality and
that open communication is vital.
Help your children know that your
understanding will persist even
though they may become involved
in difficulty. Yet at the same time,
make your sons and daughters well
aware that your appreciation of
them does not mean the condoning
or approval of illegal or improper
conduct.
If delinquency has already oc–
curred, the relationship that you es–
tablish with your children can be
used to assist them in understanding
themselves and to gain insight into
the circumstances that may have led
them into becoming delinquents.
Encourage them to develop the
right initiative to become more re–
sponsible for their bebavior.
Spend more time with your chil–
dren. Rear them yourselves. Express
your love for them. Teach them to
respect law and order by setting the
right example.
Remember, "Johnny' ' was not
"born" a criminal. He was molded
into one! Each individual's life is
shaped by the circumstances of his
birth, his family life, his immediate
environment , his friends, and his as–
sociales.
Many of you parents reading this
article are making fatal mistakes in
your child rearing. You are headed
for suffering, frustration, and heart–
break in the years ahead.
If you rear your children prop–
erly, you can save them- and your–
self- much grief and heartache in
the future.
l f you want to know more about
how to properly rear your children,
write for our free. full-color booklet,
The Plain Truth About Child Rear–
ing.
O
PLAIN TRUTH September 1973