Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-10
YOUNG DELINQUENTS
BY H. Arlington Bruce

| With increasing knowledge Of the part
played by feeble-mindedness and so-called
constitutional inferiority as causes of vicious
and criminal behavior in early life, many are
wrongly inclined to assume that whenever q
child grossly and persistently misbehaves
there must be some incurable defect in that
child's psychic makeup.
Even parents, over-impressed by the rela-
tionship which undoubtedly does exist be-
tween psychic blemish and delinquency, often
despair too soon. 'There is nothing that can
be done," they mournfully tell themselves
with reference to- seemingly uncomfortable
child. II can only guard and watch my de-
fective little one all his life."
But the fact is that youthful delinquency
more often than not is sign of fault in the
child's training or surroundings rather than
Of defect in the child himself. Again and
again this is found to be the case when the
problem raised by the delinquency attacked
by one familiar with child psychology and
psychopatholOgy.
Sometimes what is needed most of all Is q
complete change in the environment. Some
times all that is needed Is a better under
standing by the parents themselves Of en-
vironmental conditions which, through caus-
ing the child keen distress of mind incite to
Mental conflict to use the term employed
by experts in the study of young delinquents
is surprisingly often the real cause of delin-
quency. Remove the source of conflict, OF
train the child to react less violently to the
situation which troubles him, AID the delin-
quency will cease
Typtcally illustrative Is a. case reported by
DR.. McIntire, the case Of boy referred to
the Boston Psychopathic hospital for observa-
ton because of an ungovernable temper, de-
or Ton hoh ffYro1 fol- VII
repeated threats to do away with himself. The
only child of an insane mother, his conduct
assuredly suggested that he was the hopeless
victim Of an inherited faint
But more hopeful view was taken ..iser
the boy had been submitted to a mental test
ing.
Intellectually he graded year ahead of
his age, had good power Of attention and more
than ordinary interest il. the current events
of everyday life. To the kind treatment he
received in the hospital ward he reacted by
quiet and orderly behavior, giving not the
lc st trouble to those in charge of him.
His delinquency was interpreted as a con-
flict reaction to feelings Of inferiority, due
partly to appreciation Of his mothers plight
and partly to the attitude Of others toward
him. His own statements bore out this in
depreciation, as he frankly acknowledged his
misconduct and attributed it to the fact that
ether boys in the school he had attended were
always picking" on him.
A foster home was found, he was sent to
another school, and soo1 there was no longer
occasion to regard him as a delinquent. A
year later he was reported to be helpful and
willing at home, quiet spoken, refined look
ing, and reliable" And another year later he
was described as ga good average boy, doing
well in school,"
Let anything in the environment weigh
heavily on the mind Of sensitive child, de-
linquency may be the result. It is as impor-
tant to appreciate this as 1t is to appreciate
the Unborn factors in delinquency.
For only through such appreciation, lead
ing to close scrutiny of every individual case,
can measures be taken saving to usefulness
and happiness children who all their lives
might otherwise be burdens on their parents
and on society This is one Of the best estab-
lished facts of modern criminology.