NCJ Number
48777
Date Published
1978
Length
48 pages
Annotation
IN TESTIMONY BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN SENATE, AN ANTHROPOLOGIST AND A RESEARCHER DISCUSS THEIR OBSERVATIONS OF VALUE SYSTEMS IN A NIGERIAN VILLAGE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN.
Abstract
THE ANTHROPOLOGIST DESCRIBES ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD IN A NORTHERN NIGERIA VILLAGE OF 600 PEOPLE AND DRAWS CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE WAYS IN WHICH CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT VALUES IN MODERN SOCIETIES, AND IMPLICATIONS WITH REGARD TO CRIMINALITY. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT CRIME TENDS TO RESULT WHEN CHILDREN LEARN VALUES BUT NOT THE MEANS TO ACHIEVE THEM. TEACHING THAT WEALTH AND MATERIAL GOODS ARE ULTIMATE VALUES WITHOUT PROVIDING PLAUSIBLE AND LEGITIMATE PATHWAYS TO ACHIEVING THESE VALUES MAKES CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TEMPTING. THE SECOND WITNESS DISCUSSES SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN -- CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, INCIDENCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES, AND MYTHS. QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSIONS ACCOMPANY THAT TESTIMONY. PAPERS PREPARED BY THE WITNESSES ARE APPENDED. --IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. (LKM)