PLACE OF THE FAMILY IN THE FRAMEWORK OF REINTEGRATION POLICY FOR MINORS LIVING IN A HOME FOR PARTIAL RELEASE

• NCJ Number: 69011
• Journal: ANNALES DE VAUCRESSON Issue: 15 Dated: (1978) Pages: 55-87
• Author(s): E DEGREEFF
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 31 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: French
• Country: France

Annotation

A STUDY OF 25 MINORS IN A BELGIAN GROUP HOME FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS REVEALS THE ROLE THE FAMILY SHOULD PLAY IN THE HOME'S SOCIAL REINTEGRATION POLICY.

Abstract

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO DISCOVER WHETHER THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL REINTEGRATION INVOLVES OR REQUIRES A PROCESS OF FAMILIAL REINTEGRATION. INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED IN 1977 WITH THE DIRECTOR, THE STAFF, THE MINORS, AND EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTORS REGARDING THE HOME'S FAMILY POLICIES AND PERSONAL OPINIONS ON THE FAMILY'S ROLE. THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE JUVENILES WAS 17. THREE GROUPS EMERGED, WITH 4 YOUTHS SHOWING A DESIRE TO RETURN TO THE FAMILY, 8 SHOWING AMBIVALENCE IN THIS REGARD, AND 13 SHOWING A STRONG DESIRE NOT TO RETURN TO THE FAMILY. THE INSTITUTION SEEMED TO FAVOR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION THAT WOULD GIVE YOUTHS THE MEANS FOR THEIR INDEPENDENCE OR AT LEAST SOMEWHAT FACILITATE THEIR COHABITATION WITH A FAMILY. IN THIS RESPECT, RETURN TO THE FAMILY IS NOT SEEN AS AN END IN ITSELF, BUT AS AN INEVITABLE COMPONENT OF TOTAL SOCIAL INTEGRATION. THIS PERSPECTIVE SUGGESTS THAT MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES SHOULD NOT BE SOUGHT WITHIN A SINGLE PROGRAM. IN OTHER WORDS, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS OR EDUCATORS REQUIRES SO MUCH ENERGY THAT ANY OTHER TASKS ARE LEFT BY THE WAYSIDE. IF FAMILIAL REINTEGRATION OCCURS OR APPEARS IMMINENT, GUIDANCE TO THAT EFFECT CAN BE GIVEN. THE MINORS THEMSELVES EXPRESSED A STRONGER DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN A COMMUNITY OF PEERS THAN IN THE FAMILY SETTING, WHERE ONE-ON-ONE INDIVIDUAL AND HIERARCHICAL KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS ARE COMMONLY FOUND. YET, THE YOUTHS ALL EXPRESSED A NEED FOR A SUPPORTING GROUP, A ROLE THE FAMILY CAN PLAY. IN THIS SENSE, THE FAMILY CAN PROVIDE A PLACE FOR THE JUVENILE TO LIVE IF RELATIONSHIPS ARE FORMED THAT ASSUME SOME TYPE OF EQUALITY, WITH EACH PERSON RETAINING HIS SPACE AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS STUDY WAS LIMITED TO OLDER ADOLESCENTS AND RESULTS ARE SLANTED TO THAT AGE GROUP. FURTHER RESEARCH MIGHT USE LARGER SAMPLES WITH MORE AGES AND ALSO INVOLVE INTERVIEWS WITH THE FAMILIES THEMSELVES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH.