NCJ Number
46295
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 56 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 293-299
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE MOVEMENT TO DEINSTITUTIONALIZE SOCIAL DEVIANTS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY OF THE USE OF POWER FOR SOCIAL CONTROL.
Abstract
ALL SOCIETIES REQUIRE SOCIAL CONTROL TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND CONSEQUENTLY MUST MAKE USE OF POWER. THE TYPES OF POWER USED ARE RELATED TO THE SOCIETAL GOALS, BUT TO BE EFFECTIVE, POWER MUST BE SELECTIVELY USED. THE USE OF POWER INVOLVES SOCIAL ALIENATION, WHICH IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO SOCIAL ORGANIZATION. FORCE IS MORE ALIENATING THAN UTILITARIAN APPLICATIONS OF POWER; NORMATIVE TYPES OF POWER BASED ON EDUCATION, STRENGTHENING OF BONDS AND VALUES, ROLE MODELS, AND MORAL REINFORCEMENT ARE THE LEAST ALIENATING. IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY WHICH EMPHASIZES HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION NORMATIVE AND EXCHANGE TYPES OF POWER ARE PREFERRED, AND FORCE TENDS TO BE REGARDED AS THE POWER OF LAST RESORT. IN ADDITION TO BEING COUNTERPRODUCTIVE WHEN USED UNNECESSARILY, FORCE CORRUPTS ITS USERS. INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE ADULT OR JUVENILE OFFENDER AND THE MENTALLY ILL AND RETARDED IS A FORM OF PUNISHMENT, AND PUNISHMENT USED AS A FORM OF SOCIAL CONTROL UNNECESSARILY MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE VALUES AND IDEALS OF A DEMOCRACY. INSTITUTIONALIZATION PRODUCES A CONTINUATION OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS; RATHER THAN RESOCIALIZING THE DEVIANT, IT FURTHER DESOCIALIZES HIM. FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND RETARDED IT DISCOURAGES GROWTH; FOR THE OFFENDER IT RESULTS IN GREATER ALIENATION AND HOSTILITY AND AN ACCEPTANCE OF A CRIMINAL CULTURE. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION, BUT EFFECTIVE ACTION REQUIRES SOME DEGREE OF COMMUNITY CONSENSUS. THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRYING TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FACES DEEPLY INGRAINED STEREOTYPES OF THE SOCIALLY DEVIANT, AND LABELS HAVE TO BE OVERCOME. A MAJOR TASK OF THE PROFESSIONAL IN THE MENTAL HEALTH OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY TO ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARD THE SOCIALLY DEVIANT AND ENLISTING THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMMUNITY SECTORS. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES MUST BE MORALLY IMPARTIAL AND SELF-CRITICAL, IF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE IS TO MAKE A MORE ENLIGHTENED RESPONSE TO SOCIAL DEVIANCE THAT WILL BENEFIT BOTH THE DEVIANT AND THE SOCIAL ORDER. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (JAP)