(Pursuant to the direction of the chairman, the following documents are hereby made a part of the printed record:) STATEMENT OF T. LEFOY RICHMAN, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMERICAN SOCIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION The American Social Hygiene Association endorses and urges the passage of H.R. 3464 and H.R. 772. Social hygiene in the United States is concerned with devloping and demonstrating programs which strengthen the family and which prepare community leadership for overcoming conditions that area 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 Territory, and 31 cities reported rises in venereal disease in the 15-19 age group. Twelve States, one Territory, and 13 cities reported rising venereal disease in the 10-14 age group. This represents a significantly higher number of States and cities reporting increases in teenage VD in each of 3 successive years. According to Public Health Service data, 1 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 crimes 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 deserves 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 Hygience Association 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 its proposes. Our studies and our investigators all reveal facets of the problem. We cannot report 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. STATEMENT OF THOMAS C. CORBITT, SR., FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE TRUE CITIZENSHIP NATIONAL UNITED IDEAL CONSTRUCTIVE ASSOCIATION, INC. Mr. Elliott, and most worthy members of this committee, I, Thomas C. Corbitt, founder and president of the True Citizenship Association, do highly appreciate the privilege extended to me to appear before this committee in behalf of this association to support this great and most worthy effort which deals with juvenile delinquency. This subject carries with it many complex problems yet to be solved, such as the cause and cure, and most important, the prevention of juvenile delinquency. To these problems, apparently, it is hard to find a solution. They have puzzled our top experts who are specialists and who are highly trained to work in such fields. Even the many schools, churches, and various organizations that worked and are still working with whatever support they may have thus far have failed to find the answer to the problems relative to juvenile delinquency. However, some good has resulted from such efforts, but much more must be done. The bill, H.R. 3464, that was so wisely designed and introduced by the chairman, Mr. Elliott, and is being supported by his coworkers and others, seems to be the right kind of bill, designed to "hit the spot." First, it will offer great financial aid, and help workers who are and who may be willing to devote their time to working, thinking, and searching for new ideas and new projects that may be fitted with necessary equipment to do the job of curbing and preventing delinquency. If such bill is passed, and I hope it will as soon as possible, so that financial aid may be available at an early date, it will stop this terrible pest, stop the acts that are ruining and even destroying our children of today who would otherwise be good citizens of tomorrow. Second, H.R. 3464 is also planned to aid new projects and new ideas, and even dormant projects which might have been retarded due to lack of finances. Such Federal aid as this bill would give would set up and put into operation projects and new ideas, among which may be the very solution to the complex problems concerning juvenile delinquency-the cause, the cure, and even the prevention. Over a period of many years I have been dealing with children in various capacities and in many types of services. I have served as a teacher in both public and private schools; also I have served as a teacher in churches, as well as director of youth recreation department and other departments. I have been actively affiliated with such organizations as the Y.M.C.A., Boy Scouts as counselor, and I am now a member of the commissioner's youth council. By serving in these various capacities, I have been able to study youth and their needs. In addition to such contact with children of the public, I have had the opportunity of further observation of my own very large family of 11 children, including 7 boys, all of whom have served, and some of whom are still serving, in different branches of our Nation's Armed Forces. Each of them made good servicemen, having served with honor. Through strict parental guidance these boys grew to manhood and they were never identified with delinquency. I cited this personal case as an example to show how the parent can teach and emphasize good citizenship in the homes, while rearing the children and also to show that if this method is followed by all parents we would go a long way on the road toward prevention of this evil among our youth. This formula will work for rich and poor, high and low. Now, Mr. Chairman, I am proud to say in the behalf of the True Citizenship Association, Inc., that we stand strong in support of your bill, H.R. 3464, designed to provide aid for the control and prevention of juvenile delinquency, and we do support all good principles, and every sound effort that will contribute toward the spread and maintenance of true citizenship in our homes, in our communities, and within our Nation. Therefore, Mr. Chairman and members of this subcommittee since we believe that juvenile delinquency has reached its highest peak ever, now is the time for the Federal Government to take steps in this connection. We feel that the passage of H.R. 3464 immediately will pave the way to a solution. (Whereupon, at 11:55 a.m., the hearings were concluded.) JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND CONTROL HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FIRST SESSION ON H.R. 319, H.R. 772, H.R. 1084, H.R. 3464, AND VARIOUS OTHER BILLS RELATING TO JUVENILE 41569 PART 2 HEARING HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 27, 1959 Printed for the use of the Committee on Education and Labor UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1959 |