NCJ Number
25018
Journal
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY, DELINQUENCY, AND DEVIANT SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 132-138
Date Published
1974
Length
7 pages
Annotation
ABNORMALITIES ENCOUNTERED AND METHODS ADOPTED IN CONDUTING CONFRONTATION GROUPS OF WORKING-CLASS GIRLS, AGED 14-16, IN AN APPROVED SCHOOL OF 20 GIRLS ORGANIZED INTO TWO COMMUNITY HOUSES.
Abstract
THE GIRLS COMMITTED TO THIS SCHOOL ARE FOUND IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION BY REASON OF ABSCONDING FROM HOME AND/OR SCHOOL, SEXUAL INTERCOURSE UNDER AGE, BREAKING AND ENTERING, AND THIEVING. THE GIRLS ARE SEEN TO FALL INTO TWO BROAD CATEGORIES: THOSE WHO CONFORM, AND THOSE WHO REBEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE THERAPIST'S AIM IS TO GET THE GIRLS TO COPE WITH THEIR PHYSHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES WHICH RESULTED LARGELY FROM FAMILY INFLUENCES AND TO RESIST THE MORES OF THE DELINQUENT SUBCULTURE FROM WHICH THEY HAVE COME. GIRLS MEET WEEKLY IN CONFRONTATION GROUPS OF SEVEN TO NINE EACH. THERE THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO FREELY SPEAK AND WRITE ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS AND ABOUT PERCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES, OTHERS, AND THEIR SETTING. THE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH USED IS NOT TO RESTRUCTURE THE GIRLS' PERSONALITIES BUT TO REGARD THEIR VALUES AS SIGNIFICANT AND TRY TO SHIFT THEIR FORMATIVE ENERGIES INTO POSITIVE PRODUCTIVE STREAMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)