tion in such fields as depressed area aid, school construction, housing, and the extension and raising of the minimum wage. But there is more to the problem of juvenile delinquency than curing the Nation's economic ills. These are the matters properly before this committee. We know, for example, that it is not just the underprivileged children that become the delinquents. Only recently we read of the son of Roy Campanella being involved in a crime. What happened to this boy? His father devotes a major portion of his time to helping juvenile delinquents, his family is not economically insecure, yet he was named as the leader of a group of youngsters causing disturbances. Or take another and more serious case the case of 19-year-old Charles Starkweather who, last year, suddenly took out his hate against the world by killing 11 persons. In a recent magazine article, his mother is quoted as wondering why her son "went bad." It is all too easy for many of us to blame young Charles Starkweather's crimes on his parents. Time and again, we show apathy to the causes that led Starkweather to seek the recognition he required, according to the finding of a Nebraska criminologist. Perhaps we thank the Lord that our children are well-behaved, but we show no interest in correcting the sources of delinquency because either they are too complicated or because we believe that “it won't happen here." The Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO, is glad to see that your com mittee does not share in this apathy and that it now has before it a number of bills designed to inaugurate Federal projects aimed at preventing and controlling juvenile delinquency. Unlike the causes of this juvenile delinquency, these bills are simple and easy to understand. Basically, measures such as the Clark and Hill bill (S 694), the Hennings bills (S. 765 and S. 766), the Humphrey bill (S. 1090), and the Javits bill (S. 1341) would aid the States and localities in getting juvenile crime under control. These bills rightly look upon juvenile delinquency as a social disability. Their major difference, as we see it, is on the method of attacking this problem, not on the nature of the problem itself. Industrial labor supports the intentions of all of these bills. We hope that legislative proposals of the kind represented by the bills before this committee will receive more favorable consideration than they have in the past. In 1957, the AFL-CIO supported legislation that would have provided grants to the State for strengthening and improving State and local programs. We are sorry no such grants are included in the presently proposed legislation. We are convinced that last year's hearings clearly indicated the basic need for adequate personnel-trained to deal with the causes and correction of this delinquency. For this reason, we recommend substantial training grants. Such training, we believe, would directly benefit that half of the Nation's counties that have no special officers capable of handling juvenile problems. It would also provide more educators, child psychologists, social workers, juvenile court workers, recreation workers, sociologists, and the host of other technically trained people so badly needed in this field. We do not mean that additional research and study are not necessary. Proposals included for such research would undoubtedly be extremely beneficial in leading toward more enlightened treatment of juvenile delinquency and its eventual control. We have no intention of minimizing any program that would provide additional funds for research, planning, and the dissemination of information. But, those of us who deal with the AFL-CIO's Community Services Committee as well as with our local union people, believe that the most immediate need is trained personnel, not further study. We wish to make it clear that we are not against continued research; we do believe that our first priority should be more and better trained personnel who can apply their knowledge to the immediate problems at hand. For this reason, we find the bill introduced by Senator Hennings to be the most preferable. Mr. Chairman, before closing we wish to comment on the fact that the present administration has failed to introduce a juvenile delinquency bill during this session. Last year's administration proposal was wholly inadequate and paid little more than lip service to this growing problem. Under the terms of that bill, 35 States would have received only $30,000 during the first year for strengthening and improving juvenile delinquency programs. This year, the administra tion is apparently unwilling to provide any Federal funds. Like the delinquency itself, the administration has taken a step backward. While we do not know all the causes of juvenile delinquency, we do know that it will not disappear with the coming of a balanced budget. We are concerned that a juvenile delinquency bill may again be sacrificed in the now-holy name of "economy." We would point out that such an action would be a crime against our children and our Nation's future. If America is to meet this growing problem, it must do so by recognizing that juvenile delinquency is not something new that has suddenly sprung upon us. And it must be recognized that today's deficiencies are only more glaring, because the problem has become that much more acute. Experience has taught us that neither parent, community, nor State has the sole ability to cope with this truly national problem.. All can play their role, but they need the guidance, coordination and leadership proposed in the legis lation now before this committee. The chairman of this committee has previously stated that "the record accumulated * * * demonstrates beyond any doubt that strong Federal leadership would be of great assistance to the States, communities, and private organizations in the control and prevention of this tragic social evil. It is time for legislative action to make such Federal leadership possible." We agree wholeheartedly with these remarks. words will be quickly translated into effective legislation. We can only hope that these NATIONAL PROBATION & PAROLE ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOSEPH CLARK, Chairman, Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency, Committee on Labor and` Public Welfare, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR CLARK: Although it was impossible for me to appear before your subcommittee on April 27, as explained in my wire of April 22 to Chief Clerk McClure, I should like to submit a summary statement representing the views of our association, as adopted by the committee on law of our board of trustees. 1. We would place greatest stress on Federal aid to the States with respect to the training of probation officers. There are approximately 3,500 probation officers serving in juvenile courts, most of them without the essential professional training in a school of social work. The need is for no less than 20,000 officers, properly trained. The committees should consider that our criminal courts also have jurisdiction over youthful offenders. The number and training of probation officers in these courts are as far from the need as is the situation with respect to juvenile court officers. It is clear that since these courts deal with the most disturbed young offenders in our communities. the training of probation officers should receive top priority consideration. 2. With respect to research, it is our belief that what is needed is a basic research plan formulated by the Federal Government, and maintained by it. Under this plan and as a part of it, grants should be made available within the States and to the States. Such a comprehensive approach is not authorized in the present bills. Grants made available as under the present bills would have greater value and meaning as part of an overall plan. Such a program would have a scope which no single State would be likely to undertake either through its own resources or with Federal assistance. In support and as part of an overall comprehensive research plan, the support to the State research programs would have increased significance. 3. In view of the present backwardness and lack of adequate facilities in many communities, we endorse grants for assistance in planning and for direct services as well as grants to both public and private agencies for special projects. The grants should be administered in each State by a central State agency. We stress, however, the need for greatest concentration of Federal funds first for training of personnel, and second for research. We hope that the proponents of the various bills pending in the Congress will be able to reach agreement so that the necessary legislation can be enacted this year. Sincerely yours, WILL C. TURNBLADH, Director. MINNESOTA PROBATION & PAROLE ASSOCIATION, Senator HUBERT H. HUMPHREY, Legislative Committee, Senate Office Building, DEAR SENATOR HUMPHREY: At its quarterly meeting on March 18, 1959, the Minnesota Probation & Parole Association comprising a membership of 237 professional corrections personnel gave thoughtful consideration to the juvenile delinquency control projects bills. The following resolution was adopted unanimously: "It is hereby resolved that the Minnesota Probation & Parole Association announce that it stands in full support of the Federal juvenile delinquency control projects bill, otherwise known as the Hill-Clark bill, Senate file No. 694, and the Elliott bill, House file No. 3464, and urge their passage." The association also directed that the Members of Congress receive notification of this resolution and that other persons and agencies interested in delinquency control be urged to communicate their support. Respectfully yours, JOHN BROADY, President. TESTIMONY FOR THE SENATE LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE, BY T. LEROY RICHMAN, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMERICAN SOCIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION The American Social Hygiene Association endorses and urges the passage of S. 694, S. 765, S. 766, S. 1090, and S. 1341. Social Hygiene in the United States is concerned with developing and demonstrating programs which strengthen the family and which prepare community leadership for overcoming conditions that are a hazard to family living. The accomplishment of this mission requires research, investigation and demonstration of program possibilities. Among the specific studies which the association now has underway are 4 research studies in adolescent behavior, a national survey of venereal disease, and investigations of vice and related conditions in 125 cities. In 1958, at least 200,000 youngsters under 20 were infected by venereal disease. How many more, no one knows. Nor can we estimate the number of sexual exposures these infections represent. But certainly the ratio of those exposed to those infected is much greater than 1:1. Health departments of 22 States, 1 Terrritory, and 31 cities reported rises in venereal disease in the 15-19 age group; 12 States, 1 Territory, and 13 cities reported rising venereal disease in the 10-14 age group. This represents a sig. nificantly higher number of States and cities reporting increases in teenage venereal disease in each of 3 successive years. According to Public Health Service data, one case of infectious venereal disease among persons under 20 years of age was reported every 11 minutes in 1957, and the number of cases of infectious syphilis reported in the under 20 age group in 1957 was 22 percent higher than in 1956. Venereal disease among young people is not an isolated sign of trouble: it must be viewed as part of a pattern. Some of the other emerging segments of the pattern appear to be increasing unwed pregnancies at younger ages, increasing crimes of violence and crime against property at younger ages, and increasing teenage susceptibility to peer group authority and morality. Venereal disease is one of the symptoms in a syndrome of social illness which has serious implications for all of us and which deserve careful study and thoughtful consideration. Solution to the problems behind rising venereal disease among teenagers cannot be demonstrated at once and with only the information available. For 3 years the American Social Hygiene Association (ASHA) has been developing studies in adolescent behavior which are designed to give insight and understanding to educators, parents, and others who are deeply involved with young people and their problems. Studies in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Boston under the direction of able behavioral scientists are beginning to yield preliminary data which this committee will wish to consider in drafting legislation for the control of delinquency among young people. Among these tentative findings (and they will need to be tested more widely before they may be referred to as conclusions) are the following: (a) Teenagers who trust themselves and their ability to contribute to others, and who have learned to rely on others socially and emotionally are least likely to be involved in irresponsible sexual activity. (b) Teenagers who have learned to be comfortable in their appropriate sex roles (boys who like being boys and wish to be men, and girls who like being girls and wish to be women) are least likely to be involved in activities leading to indiscriminate sexuality. (c) Both boys and girls have a need to discuss serious problems with adults who they feel can be helpful-that is to say, trusted. (d) Behavior in children is consistent with that of their parents. (e) In homes where standards of individual behavior are clearly understood and the authority sustaining them is consistent, there are fewest violations of standards. In New York City, ASHA is conducting still a fourth study of young people under 20 who have been referred to New York City venereal disease clinics for diagnosis and/or treatment. This study hopes to describe its subjects, their behavior, their relationship with peer groups, institutions, and family, in such manner as to make possible improved venereal disease education and epidemiology. Its results are expected to be available to the White House Conference on Children and Youth in March of 1960. ASHA's support of this legislation is based primarily on these considerations: 1. There is need for the programs it proposes. Our studies and our investigations all reveal facets of the problem, but we cannot report a program to deal with it adequately. 2. While the program leadership will be governmental, the policymaking leadership will be drawn largely from nongovernmental organizations with both program and research interests in programs directed toward the control of delinquency. This makes for a competent operation under the guidance of widely representative and nonofficial but highly professional policy leadership. 3. That the grants will be largely for demonstration and development purposes. We do not think that grants under the legislation proposed should be available for the support of continuing delinquency control programs. We think rather that they should be for the purpose of demonstrating program possibilities in communities where existing official or nonofficial agencies can be expected to utilize the demonstration in the development of their own continuing programs. THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, Hon. LISTER HILL, Ann Arbor, Mich., June 3, 1959. DEAR SENATOR HILL: I enclose herewith two copies of a preliminary report on "Some Possible Research and Demonstration Projects in the Field of Juvenile Delinquency." I trust you may find it of use in connection with your juvenile delinquency bill. With best personal wishes. WILBUR J. COHEN, Professor of Public Welfare Administration. SOME POSSIBLE RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (The University of Michigan Subcommittee on Income Maintenance and Social Security of the Coordinating Committee on Social Welfare Research) INTRODUCTION The Subcommittee on Income Maintenance and Social Security of the Coordinating Committee on Social Welfare Research has as one of its functions the identification and stimulation of needed research in its broad area of interest. The need for research in the area of juvenile delinquency is evidenced by public concern about this problem as well as by the analysis of experts in the field. It seems relevant to cite at this point a recent finding from a study undertaken by the Survey Research Center. In a nationwide survey, a cross section of the public was asked: "Suppose that money was available for only one of the following projects. Which one would you be most likely to favor? (a) Putting the first man on the moon; (b) a program for new medical research; (c) basic research in the sciences like chemistry and physics; or (d) new approaches to juvenile delinquency. While the majority of those interviewed selected medical research as having top priority, 32 percent of the population said that they would favor spending the money for juvenile delinquency projects, rather than the other three alternatives. Women showed a greater interest in juvenile delinquency than did men. A total of 37 percent of the women who were interviewed favored juvenile delinquency projects; 27 percent of the men selected this alternative. The fact that approximately one-third of all persons gave top priority to seeking new approaches to juvenile delinquency suggests that there is widespread concern about finding solutions to this problem. Research in the field of juvenile delinquency is related to several aspects of social welfare research. Moreover, since pending Federal legislation in the field of juvenile delinquency for research, training and demonstration projects, in many cases places responsibility for the administration of such legislation and funds in the Children's Bureau of the Social Security Administration, it was thought that it might be desirable for this subcommittee to take the initial responsibility for suggesting some projects which might be undertaken in this area. The research proposals included in this report are necessarily brief and tentative. They do not attempt to cover the entire field of desirable research, projects, but rather represent the interests and thinking of a number of social science researchers in the university. They are intended to be suggestive and indicate areas of multidisciplinary research potentialities. They include research designed to extend the frontiers of knowledge in this area, and research which would put into operation and evaluate programs based on existing knowledge from past research and from experience. Comments, criticisms, and additional or alternative suggestions will be welcomed by the subcommittee. If such suggestions are forthcoming, a revised edition of this report will be circulated. Donna McLeod, of the coordinating committee staff, assisted in preparing this report for publication. WILBUR J. COHEN, Chairman, Subcommittee on Income Maintenance and Social Security, Coordinating Committee on Social Welfare Research, the University of Michigan. I. ANALYSIS OF THE DELINQUENCY CHILD (a) Research on delinquency among adolescent girls Some research exists on delinquency among male adolescents, but very little is found in the literature on girl delinquents. On the other hand, data show that the incidence of girls' delinquency is increasing, and at a faster rate than male delinquency. There is reason to believe, from the scant data on police contacts available, that female adolescent delinquency is quite different from its male counterpart, and its study would require extension psychological and sociological methods. (b) The nature and change of values among adolescents The time of adolescence is frequently a period of readjustment and newly developed values as the growing individual is forced deeper into the society in which he is going to be an adult member. Conflicting pressures make for conflicting values. The absence or presence of certain pressures soon shows up in an individual's value structure. Thus, values turn out to be a rewarding portion of a person's perspective in which to measure his interaction with society. Research needs to be undertaken which will investigate the following questions: Which values are developed by what forces in society? Which ones are most related to delinquency? Which ones tend to predict the form of delinquent behavior that will be followed? How can values be altered? |