SCHOOLS AND YOUTH UNREST - A LOOK AT OUR BASIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND A DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW STRATEGIES FOR INITIATING CHANGE IN THIS SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 38400
• Author(s): E A WENK
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Carter Ctr
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS BOOKLET REVIEWS THE ROLES OF EDUCATION AND THE WAYS IN WHICH EDUCATION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUTH PROBLEMS, AND DESCRIBES TWO PROGRAMS WHICH ATTEMPT TO SOLVE YOUTH PROBLEMS BY INVOLVING THE YOUTHS IN REFORM EFFORTS.

Abstract

THE FIRST PART OF THIS PAPER REVIEWS SOME CRITICAL WRITINGS SUGGESTING THAT OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS A CONTRIBUTOR TO YOUTH PROBLEMS. IT IS NOTED THAT THE TWO ROLES OF EDUCATION - TO PERPETUATE THE PREVAILING CULTURE AND TO PREPARE NEW GENERATIONS FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES - ARE NECESSARILY IN CONFLICT. THE PAPER SUGGESTS THAT THIS CONFLICT COULD BE A CONSTRUCTIVE FORCE AND THAT IT COULD ENABLE THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO BECOME A FORCE IN SOLVING SOCIAL PROBLEMS. THE INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENTS THEMSELVES IN THE NEEDED REFORM IS SUGGESTED IN TWO NEW YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES. THE FIRST OF THESE STRATEGIES, CALLED PARTNERSHIP IN RESEARCH, IS AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIALLY DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. THE STUDENTS AND STAFF INVOLVED IN THIS STUDY WERE UNDER A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, INVESTIGATING SUCH FACTORS AS LACK OF HUMANIZATION IN SCHOOLS, NON-INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENTS, AND INEFFECTIVE METHODS USED IN DEALING WITH SCHOOL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. THE SOCIAL HEADSTART PROGRAM IS A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AIMED AT FURTHERING THE CHILD'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AND HIS ACQUIRING OF SOCIAL SKILLS. MATURE HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS WOULD SERVE AS SOCIAL TUTORS TO PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)