Society does not pay much attention to adolescents until they cross a pathological line into violent crime, teen-age pregnancy, psychiatric distress, running away or suicide attempts. Then, we focus on attempts to fix the problem. It’s time we stopped putting so much energy into waiting for problems to occur. We should challenge teen-agers, make them […]
A Turning Point for Children and Troubled Families
In June 13-a Friday-the Congress passed the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of1980 (P.L. 96-272). It was an auspicious day for children. The new legislation is one of the most significant child welfare bills of the past two decades for it should mark a turning point in how we deal with children from troubled […]
Developing a Family Perspective
The following article is based on a proposal prepared by the author last fall after Massachusetts Governor Edward J. King had established a Family Advisory Committee. His proposal, written when he was Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, focused on the role of the newly-formed Committee. Are most state-funded activities structured in such […]
