The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-02-18
LACK OF EMPLOYMENT AS CAUSE OF
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND HUMAN HAVOC


normal parental attitudes. 1t is no
mere platitude to assert that the last
place to seek the roots of delinquency
is happy home.
Today the converse is repeatedly
the picture. Idle parents, curtail-
ments, increasing want are cOmbina-
lions with explosive qualities. Often
the highest irritations will set them
in action. Always, too, there is a
mental tension to be relieved only by
emotional outbursts. No ideal setting,
indeed, for the child. In the child's
reaction to such an atmosphere, more
often than otherwise is the delinquent
integer.
The child Graves recognition. 1t
requires affection. 1t is eager for
adventure. These are too frequently
denied it in the home blighted by
poverty. The parents, worried by
want, depressed by unemployment, be-
comes surly. He has no thought, no
time to spare on the child's whims.
Concern for food and rent is more ur-
gent than control of the child. From
these hard realities, the child recoils
according to his temperament. What
| it is denied in the home it seeks else
where. Outside influences come into
play. The street, the gang, the NOV
ies-the last probably attended on
stolen money-afford compensation
for the denied recognition within the
home. Only the school is left to eX-
ercise any control. But the new free
! dom makes school irksome. Truancy
becomes a two-fold outlet. 1t is an
escape from control and an adventure.
Another delinquent is in the making.
All because of parental attitudes en-
dangered by unemployment.
Here, then, is the paramount prob
lem. We must combat the reactions
upon the child of parental demoraliza-
ton. We must counterbalance the
defeatist attitude, the Respondent
outlook, the emotional tension, which
are the psychological forces loosened
by idleness and want. To the chill
dren of the unemployed we must bring
more than food, more than raiment,
more than shelter. We must implant
in their minds healthy, cheerful atti-
tudes. They must be given the rec
ognition they crave, the affection they
need and interests to divert their at
tention from hardship and restitution
within the home. It is largely psy-
Geological task to which, in this hour
of distress, the mental hygiene move
, ment must dedicate itself with unre-
hitting vigor. Working through the
child, it can reach the parent. Forti-
! fled mentally, both are mutually help
full. Family solidarity is the most i'm
pregnable weapon against delin-
quency.
The destruction of social values in
the child's life is the third result of
unemployment. Harmony in the home
j is a social asset. Recreation is an
other. Suitable housing is still an
other. None can be had where there
is the pinch of poverty. The COM
partnership of parents and child is
weakened. Amusement in the home
is relegated to the background under
the pressure of the struggle to live.
Again, the child seeks recreational
outlets beyond the home and equally
beyond parental supervision.
Recreations that involve and finan-
cial expenditures, such as athletic
equipment, are denied the child. The
/ intensity of the desire for a football,
or baseball glove sometimes culmi-
mates in theft. Relaxed supervision
entails questionable amusements and
undesirable associates. Invariable &C
compartments, these of delinquency!
| Never more so than today when depri-
walton rules the home and any escape
is welcomed by the child. Add, then,
another to the sinister consequences
of unemployment.
From the necessarily limited aspects
presented it is evident, therefore, that
the present economic situation has a
direct bearing on Juvenile delinquency.
Without deeper insight into the forces
which is has brought into the life of
the child, no constructive solution is
possible. Any organized plan for the
social control of unemployment must
therefore commence with the child. To
protect it from want is not enough.
Its physical impairments must be
remedied. It's mental and emotional
attitudes must be shaped to normal,
healthy patterns. Its character must
be strengthened against the devas-
tating shock of need and despair. 1t
must be more delicately adjusted to
the home, to the school to recreation
and above all to a disordered indus
trial world. About it there must be
closely drawn every protective infu
ence which society can bring to bear.