NCJ Number
65115
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FOR PERSONS WORKING WITH OR INTERESTED IN TROUBLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, THIS FILM TELLS THE STORY OF A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO RUNS AWAY FROM HOME AFTER FAILING TO RECEIVE HELP FROM HER FAMILY, SCHOOL, OR THE COURTS.
Abstract
FRUSTRATED BY FAMILY PROBLEMS (A DIVORCED MOTHER WITH A NEW BOYFRIEND) AND DIFFICULTIES IN SCHOOL (AN INABILITY TO READ), JANE FEELS COMPELLED TO RUN AWAY ONLY TO BE RETURNED BY THE POLICE TO A MOTHER WHO IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HER PRESENCE AND A FATHER WHO IS AFRAID OF ENDANGERING HIS NEW MARRIAGE. AFTER BEFRIENDING OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE FAR MORE EXPERIENCED WITH CRIME AND THE COURTS, JANE BECOMES PREGNANT AND TURNS TO SHOPLIFTING TO OBTAIN SOME FOOD AND MONEY. AT THE FILM'S END, SHE IS CAUGHT TRYING TO STEAL SWEATERS FROM A DEPARTMENT STORE. JANE'S PROBLEMS ARE TYPICAL OF THE EARLY ADOLESCENT YEARS (10 TO 15), WHEN PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE OFTEN RAPID AND CONFUSING. JANE'S STORY IS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE 180,000 YOUNGSTERS HANDLED BY THE JUVENILE COURTS EACH YEAR. THE FILM ALSO DEPICTS THE MISSED INTERVENTION OPPORTUNITIES ON THE PART OF THE SCHOOL, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THE COMMUNITY, ALL OF WHICH, BECAUSE OF A LACK OF VIABLE ALTERNATIVES AND SENSITIVE RESPONSE, FAILED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF JANE AND HER FAMILY. TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION ON WAYS TO ASSIST STATUS OFFENDERS, THE FILM IS PRESENTED IN THREE SEQUENTIAL ACTS AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HANDBOOK THAT SUGGESTS METHODS FOR PREVENTING AN ANGRY ADOLESCENT FROM STARTING A LIFE OF DELINQUENCY AND CRIME. (WJR)