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Editorial
March 9, 1943
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial addresses rising juvenile delinquency since the war as a key post-war issue, criticizes ineffective reform schools, and urges creation of a voluntary juvenile home in Wilmington through cooperation with welfare and juvenile departments.
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A Juvenile Home
Juvenile delinquency has increased so greatly since the war began that it has and is absorbing more and more attention from welfare departments, criminologists, the clergy, economists, educators and humanitarians generally. It is recognized as among the major problems that must be dealt with successfully in the post-war period. The youth of the nation, as everybody can understand, must be directed into a safe manner of living if national security is to be preserved. How to do it is keeping many men awake at nights.
Naturally, the effort must be started in the home, where the lasting habits of life are formed. The next bulwark of decency and good citizenship is the public school. But neither home nor school has been successful in training all children to be good citizens. Too many youngsters choose paths that lead to the courts and institutions created for correctional training but which too often succeed only in graduating criminals.
Reform schools, by and large, do not reform. Rather, they are breeding places for crime. What is needed is a new type of juvenile home, where the boy who, either through lack of competent parental guidance or innate waywardness, has run afoul of the law, may be taken in hand under an environment that will induce him to mend his ways voluntarily, not force him to observe rules of conduct under threat of heavier punishment.
Wilmington has long needed such a home, particularly for children hailed before the juvenile court. There are those in the city who see the need and bemoan their failure to have it met. Would this not be an appropriate time, in cooperation with the juvenile and welfare departments, for them to draft plans for a juvenile home when the war is over?
Juvenile delinquency has increased so greatly since the war began that it has and is absorbing more and more attention from welfare departments, criminologists, the clergy, economists, educators and humanitarians generally. It is recognized as among the major problems that must be dealt with successfully in the post-war period. The youth of the nation, as everybody can understand, must be directed into a safe manner of living if national security is to be preserved. How to do it is keeping many men awake at nights.
Naturally, the effort must be started in the home, where the lasting habits of life are formed. The next bulwark of decency and good citizenship is the public school. But neither home nor school has been successful in training all children to be good citizens. Too many youngsters choose paths that lead to the courts and institutions created for correctional training but which too often succeed only in graduating criminals.
Reform schools, by and large, do not reform. Rather, they are breeding places for crime. What is needed is a new type of juvenile home, where the boy who, either through lack of competent parental guidance or innate waywardness, has run afoul of the law, may be taken in hand under an environment that will induce him to mend his ways voluntarily, not force him to observe rules of conduct under threat of heavier punishment.
Wilmington has long needed such a home, particularly for children hailed before the juvenile court. There are those in the city who see the need and bemoan their failure to have it met. Would this not be an appropriate time, in cooperation with the juvenile and welfare departments, for them to draft plans for a juvenile home when the war is over?
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Juvenile Delinquency
Reform Schools
Juvenile Home
Post War Planning
Wilmington
Youth Guidance
Crime Prevention
What entities or persons were involved?
Wilmington
Juvenile Court
Welfare Departments
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Need For A New Juvenile Home In Wilmington
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Voluntary Reform Over Punitive Measures
Key Figures
Wilmington
Juvenile Court
Welfare Departments
Key Arguments
Juvenile Delinquency Has Increased Since The War, Attracting Attention From Various Experts.
It Is A Major Post War Problem Requiring Direction For Youth To Ensure National Security.
Efforts Must Start In Home And School, But They Fail For Some Children.
Reform Schools Often Breed Criminals Rather Than Reform.
A New Juvenile Home Is Needed For Voluntary Mending Of Ways Without Threats.
Wilmington Needs Such A Home For Children Before The Juvenile Court.
Post War Cooperation With Departments To Plan It Is Appropriate.