Young People With Problems

On the question of law and order, and young people with problems, a panel of internationally eminent law enforcement officers had these significant things to say: that there is about a fifty-fifty chance that a person arrested for a serious crime will be under eighteen years of age; that the greatest increase is among those fourteen years of age and under, and that usually the dye is cast on the side of criminality before the age of fourteen. It is shocking to face this shocking fact. But⎯while five of every hundred persons between ten and seventeen years of age become involved in committing a serious crime⎯there is this to say on the brighter side: ninety-five percent do not.

We should neither overestimate nor underestimate the unrest of young people. We should give it the meaning and consideration it deserves, and look to the basic causes and cure.

The breakdown of the family is among the most serious contributors to crime; juvenile delinquency is evidence that a family is in trouble rather than just a boy or girl in trouble. The number of offenders that come from broken homes is proportionately far greater than the others. This is a known fact. Most indispensable is a feeling of affection, a warm and pleasant home, disciplined training, wholesome outlets for the energies of youth, education and opportunities for employment, parental responsibility, and teaching in the home, respect for living and upholding law. Law is the cornerstone of life. (Lawless protest could tear down the foundations of civilization itself.) We must look to our homes, ourselves, our character, our conduct; love our children more, and yet not be lax in our regard for law.

Such are some of the conclusions from a panel of eminent professional law enforcement men from five countries and three continents. It is true the world around, and it all reemphasizes what another eminent source has said: “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”