NCJ Number
37511
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 11 Issue: 43 Dated: (FALL 1976) Pages: 365-371
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
AFTER A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE DEALING WITH THE CAUSES AND EXTENT OF JUVENILE RUNAWAY BEHAVIOR, THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES TWO PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PARENTS' EFFECTIVENESS IN RAISING THEIR CHILDREN.
Abstract
THE HOME ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN JUVENILE RUNAWAY CASES. IN PARTICULAR, IT IS NOTED THAT THE HOMES OF RUNAWAYS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH LEVELS OF PARENT-CHILD CONFLICT. MUCH OF THIS CONFLICT STEMS FROM DIFFERENCES IN VALUES AND PRACTICES BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN. TWO PROGRAMS WHICH ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE PARENTS WITH THE SKILLS FOR DEALING WITH THESE CONFLICTS ARE DESCRIBED. THE FIRST OF THESE IS PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING (PET), WHICH TEACHES PARENTS 1) HOW TO LISTEN EFFECTIVELY TO THEIR CHILD, 2) HOW TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND NEEDS EFFECTIVELY TO THEIR CHILD, AND 3) HOW TO SETTLE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THOSE NEEDS USING A 'NO-LOSE METHOD FOR DECISION MAKING'. THE SECOND APPROACH IS A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES PARENTS WITH INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE 'EARLY WARNING SIGNS' OF TROUBLED BEHAVIOR IN YOUTHS: FIGHTING, TEMPER TANTRUMS, TRUANCY, AND SOLITARY BEHAVIOR. IT IS HOPED THAT EARLY RECOGNITION OF TROUBLED BEHAVIOR CAN PREVENT LATER, MORE SERIOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF DISTURBED BEHAVIOR.