The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-06-26
FEATURES
]. Edgar Hoover, Children's Bureau
Tell Causes OF Juvenile Delinquency

number OF cases settled out Of
court and by other agencies than
the police and Juvenile courts. Ger
tain serious problems may be set
tied before reaching any OF these
agencies. and may never be re-
corded in their statistics.
Blame Lure OF Uniform
The increase in delinquency Of
girls has been attributed to the
lure Of the uniform. Many girl
runaways. who followed the boys
to camps, have been returned 10
their homes and their problems adj
justed. Others have been sex vio-
lators" or "pick-ups."
The children's bureau reports
state that lit has become increas-
insly obvious that more gir.s un-
der l6 are becoming delinquent
because Of the glamor and glitter
associated with the preparations for
war"
They say "a false conception of
patriotism" among teen-age girls
seems to be the general basis for
promiscuity with men in uniform.
In some communities these girl:
have been called victory girls
in others they have been called
"khaki-wackies." Many of them
are but II and II years of age.
In many cities policewomen pa.
troll spots where teen-age girls hang
out to pickup service men. In
still other communities committees
consisting of women's club lead.
ers, educators and other civic lead
ers are working out programs tc
give adolescent girls more partici.
patton in war activities, in the cry
that girls are restless because they
have nothing 10 do directly tied
in with the war.
The children's bureau believe.
that delinquency among boys will
show steady decrease with the
closing of public schools because
most boys will find employment.
List Factors
Miss Genevieve Gabower, con.
sultant on behavior problems fol
the children's bureau. after visit.
ing all parts Of the country to sur.
vey the ways war is affecting juve.
niles, lists some OF the factors a.
follows:
General unrest created by war
separation OF family members, OF
the movement Of entire families tc
new localities or parts Of the coun.
try as a result Of military service
or employment crowded nous
ing conditions less home sup
ervisions :. . inadequate recrea
tional facilities and so forth.
Boys and girls choosing the NOR
exciting recreation for which the
can pay (because OF sub
stantial increase in income whe,
il follows years Of deprivation o.
meager earnings, and particularly
when Il occurs in families tina
have been on relief for a period o
years."
Causes Not New
According TO Hoover, the cause
are not new. They are merel,
aggravated by the spirit OF war
time abandon. general restlessness
don't care attitude. and changes
conditions brought on by the war.
The time has come" Hoove
says, when all Americans mus
lend their hands in preserving tn,
home front.
Our youths must be reared Il
an atmosphere OF wholesomenes
and their leisure time put to con
structive use. The mothers, IA
Tiers and all adults must shar,
the responsibility for the presen
rise Of youthful crimes Each mus
do his bit 10 prevent further in
creases and lend every aid TO tn,
+ rehabilitation Of those who hav
strayed from the American wa,
! OF life"
Miss Gabower declares:
If the parents are at fault
then We have whole generation
work ahead. because We need 4
provide for children the thing
which will enable them 10 develop
the qualities that will make then