ROLE OF 'FATHERING' IN GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH ADOLESCENT DELINQUENT MALES (FROM BASIC READINGS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, 1976 BY CLYDE V MARTIN - SEE NCJ-46337

• NCJ Number: 46341
• Author(s): A W RACHMAN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Martin Psychiatric Research Foundation, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE IMPORTANCE OF A MALE THERAPIST TO ACT AS A FATHER FIGURE IN WORKING WITH ADOLESCENT BOYS IS EXPLAINED, AND EXAMPLES OF SUCH INTERACTION ARE GIVEN FROM A PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS.

Abstract

EXPERIENCES WITH DELINQUENT BOYS REFERRED TO THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES BRONX CENTER, NEW YORK, OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD ARE REPORTED. IT WAS FOUND THAT 44 PERCENT OF THE BOYS REFERRED BY THE JUVENILE COURT HAD FATHERS ABSENT FROM THE HOME, WHILE 80 PERCENT HAD EXTREMELY NEGATIVE FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIPS. ALL OF THE BOYS IN THIS GROUP HAD MOTHERS PRESENT IN THE HOME AND REPORTED GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR MOTHERS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FATHER AS A ROLE-MODEL IS DISCUSSED; THE TRAUMA WHICH DEVELOPS WHEN THE BOY HAS NO SUCH ROLE-MODEL OFTEN LEADS TO EITHER EXTREMELY WITHDRAWN BEHAVIOR OR AGGRESSIVE ACTING-OUT BEHAVIOR. IN THIS GROUP THERAPY SITUATION, THE FIRST TASK OF THE MALE THERAPIST WAS TO ENCOURAGE FREE VERBAL EXPRESSION BUT TO SET FIRM LIMITS ON PHYSICAL AGGRESSION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS, OTHER THAN TO CONTROL THE SITUATION, WAS TO GIVE THE BOYS A SENSE OF CONTROL IN THEIR LIVES. OFTEN THEY HAD KNOWN LITTLE FIRM, CONSISTENT DIRECTION. THE SECOND APPROACH WAS TO HAVE REFRESHMENTS AT ALL GROUP THERAPY MEETINGS TO ESTABLISH THE THERAPIST AS A CARING, PROVIDING PERSON. AN EFFORT WAS MADE TO EXHIBIT CARING IN ALL CONTACTS WITH THE ADOLESCENT. AN ACTUAL CONVERSATION FROM A GROUP SESSION IS PRESENTED TO SHOW HOW CARING CAN GIVE THE BOY A NEW GROUP HE CAN LOOK TO FOR SUPPORT. IN THIS EXAMPLE, THE BOY IS INVOLVED IN A GANG FIGHT AND IS SCARED THAT THE RIVAL GANG WILL KILL HIM. THE THERAPY GROUP HELPS HIM WORK OUT A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE SITUATION AND WITH THEIR HELP, HE DISASSOCIATES HIMSELF FROM THAT TYPE OF GANG. THE FINAL STEP IS TO PLAN FOR A POSITIVE TERMINATION. EVERY BOY WHO DISAPPEARS FROM THE SESSIONS IS FOLLOWED UP AND TOLD THAT NO ONE IS MAD THAT HE DROPPED, THAT HE IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO CALL WHENEVER HE NEEDS HELP. IN SOME INSTANCES THE BOYS COME BACK A YEAR OR TWO LATER FOR HELP WITH A PROBLEM. OFTEN THE THERAPIST IS THE FIRST CARING FATHER FIGURE THE BOY HAS MET. HIS ROLE IN AVERTING FURTHER JUVENILE MISBEHAVIOR CAN BE CRUCIAL. (GLR)