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Vocational problems of the adolescent offender : some applications to New Haven and B.C. Borstal Association groups

University of British Columbia

The transition from school to work is a highly significant event in the lives of all young people. For adolescent boys, especially, it warrants thoughtful planning and preparation, since the type of work a man does will have far-reaching effects on his life as a whole. The amount of planning and the nature and extent of his preparation, in the form of education and training, will be major factors in determing his status in one of the main occupational categories -- professional, technical, semi-skilled or unskilled. At the same time, many youths do not plan or prepare themselves because of lack of ability or opportunity, and are thereby at a disadvantage in striving to attain higher occupational status. The limitations to individual ability and opportunity are grouped under "Personality Inadequacies" and "Labour Market Inadequacies". This study is concerned primarily with the occupational adjustment problems of the "disadvantaged" adolescent boy. The sample selected is a group of former young offenders -- "graduates of the New Haven "Community" and the B.C. Borstal system. The advantages in selection of this group are the high incidence of employment problems, to which a remedial program has been applied, with some members achieving occupational adjustment (Group I), and some failing to do so (Group II). Reasonably complete records are also available. A limiting factor is the delinquent behaviour of youths in the sample, which distinguishes them from non-delinquent, "disadvantaged" youngsters. However,since all persons in the sample have been delinquent, the findings in terms of occupational adjustment of both groups should not be affected. To investigate the reasons for achievement and non-achievement, the "Determinants of Occupational Adjustment" were applied to the sample in order to establish which of three factors might explain these differences in eventual occupational adjustment: differences in the pre-New Haven period, differential treatment; or differential response to treatment. These "Determinants" are: economic status and stability of family; amount of education; wise or haphazard choice of occupation; character of first employments; and character of significant relationships. These do not exhaust all possible factors but are representative of the major influences upon a man's "working life". It must be emphasized that this is a small sample, which can, however, serve for illustrative purposes. On the basis of the "Determinants", characteristics of youths in both groups in the pre-New Haven period would contra-indicate eventual occupational adjustment. Young men in both groups received equal treatment at New Haven and on parole. Therefore groups differ in their response to treatment. These differences are closely linked to relative capacity for satisfactory interpersonal relationships with staff and sponsors. This conclusion is corroborated by the eventual successful social adjustment of Group I and the unsuccessful performance of Group II as evidenced in few marriages, unstable marital relationships, and a high incidence of recidivism. Psychiatric reports indicated more severe personality disturbance in Group II. Thus, Borstal treatment emphasizing interpersonal relationships, "work therapy", vocational guidance and job placement was not effective for Group II because the degree of personality disturbance of young men in this group constituted a barrier to response. Therefore alternative specialized treatment is required. But the Borstal program was effective for Group I. Since there are many similarities between this group, the high school "dropout" and other disadvantaged adolescents, a similar approach, combining opportunity for positive relationships with adults and help in planning, preparation and job placement, should be helpful to these other troubled adolescents as well. A comprehensive youth employment program would contribute to prevention of occupational maladjustment and its effects in terms of both individual and national welfare.

Text

2011-12-07

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/39524

Social Work

University of British Columbia

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