NCJ Number
46340
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES WHICH CAN HELP A THERAPIST FIND AND UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS FACED BY A DELINQUENT, INVOLVE THE
Abstract
PARENTS WHO ABDICATE PARENTAL ROLES CREATE A 'SIBLING SUBSTRUCTURE' WHICH ACTS AS A SOCIALIZER. THE MOTHER OFTEN PLACES HER CHILD WITH OTHER ADULTS BECAUSE OF CROWEDED LIVING CONDITIONS, HER NEED TO WORK, OR HER DESIRE TO PURSUE HER OWN LIFE. OFTEN THERE WILL BE A SUCCESSION OF MALE FIGURES IN THE CHILD'S LIFE. INCONSISTENT DISCIPLINE AND A LACK OF A CLOSE ADULT RELATIONSHIP ARE TYPICAL. THE 18 DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED TO HELP SUCH CHILDREN WERE DEVELOPED WITH GROUPS OF DELINQUENT BOYS, AGED 9 TO 16, AT THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY'S NORTHERN RECEPTION CENTER AND CLINIC. NEARLY ALL DEMANDED CONSTANT AND IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION, YET SELDOM ADMITTED GRATIFICATION. THE TECHNIQUES ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL AND CONTAIN SUGGESTIONS FOR HANDLING THE CHILD WHO DOES NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE. SAMPLES OF CONVERSATIONS ACTUALLY ENCOUNTERED AND INSIGHTS GAINED DURING THE DRAMA SESSIONS ARE GIVEN. THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN IN EFFECT LONG ENOUGH FOR ANY LONG-TERM RESULTS TO BECOME APPARENT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF THE PSYCHODRAMA IS THAT IT ENABLES AUTHORITY FIGURES WORKING WITH GROUPS TO HANDLE PROBLEMS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. IT ALSO CAN HELP THE THERAPIST TO ASK 'WHAT DOES THIS BEHAVIOR MEAN?' BEFORE ASKING 'WHAT SHALL I DO ABOUT IT?' (GLR)