Psychological Aspects of Juvenile Delinquency

Abstract

Mr. Starker is a psychologist in the Department of Social Welfare. He asks magistrates to follow up the suggestion of having the parents of delinquent children present in court, and to notify probation officers under whom delinquents are placed that they will be required to report. This enables the probation officer to work with, rather than against the delinquent. Key factors in preventing delinquency are: father’s discipline; mother’s supervision; father's affection; mother’s affection, and family cohesiveness. Shortcomings in any of these may produce personality disorders falling short of mental illness. Character weaknesses can also be traced to parents, and the psychologist’s treatment is usually direct and involves the co-operation of parents.