NCJ Number
152782
Date Published
1993
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Profiles of "kids out of control" in this video help viewers to understand why kids engage in destructive behaviors, how to recognize that a child is in need of help, and ways to help families with troubled kids.
Abstract
The profiles include an eighth grader whose drug use altered his personality; a young girl who became severely depressed because of work, school, and familial pressure; and a teenage rape victim who ran away from home, attempted suicide, and became addicted to drugs. The narrator notes that problem behaviors in juveniles stem from behavior that is learned or influenced by the home environment and family dynamics. Destructive influences can include physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse. A dysfunctional family engenders low self-esteem in children, and this often leads to drug and alcohol abuse at an early age. Drug addiction then undermines commitment to constructive goals and contributes to under-achievement in school, teen pregnancy, crime, prostitution, suicide, running way from home, and crime. Some warning signs that a child needs help are listed and discussed in the video. Warning signs include suddenly making poor grades, being late for school, skipping classes, being secretive about friends, recently having made new friends, apathy, belligerence, and a drastic change in attitude or appearance. Some suggestions for family intervention and help are offered, and a family group therapy session is shown, along with some activities in a wilderness adventure program for problem youth.