Addresses the concern that society is raising a generation of children who lack a conscience. Examines the increasing number of youth who are not bonded to caring adults in home, school, church, or community. Explores ways to develop self-discipline and values, the role of society, virtue for delinquents, and altruism in action. (RJM)

Computerized infant simulators may deter early parenthood. A survey of 1,285 teenagers before and after simulation showed a significant change in some attitudes toward parenting. Males reported the strongest attitude change, while females began with more realistic understandings of parenting. Further study is needed to determine whether attitude…

Gayle Mertz offers simulations covering balloting and the juvenile court system along with a legislation drafting activity. Mercedes J. Newsome provides guidance on the use of community resource persons. Teri Wilson's activity simulates a juvenile proceeding while Richard Marcroft and Elenor Taylor describe a simulation of small claims court. (KO)

Applies Coleman's concept of social capital to understand differences in development among at-risk youth. Utilized data from longitudinal study of 252 children of teenage mothers to explore relationships between social capital and success. Results suggest social capital plays a role in helping youth negotiate their way out of disadvantage. (JBJ)

The study of recreation in correctional settings has received little attention, and the majority of available research focuses on incarcerated youth. The article examines research on recreation in youth and adult correctional settings and explains the implications for correctional recreation professionals. (SM)

Presents an overview of the situation of street children and youth in urban Latin America. Findings from numerous studies throughout the region are synthesized. Suggests that economic factors underlie the marginalization of vast numbers of Latin American children. The result is the exclusion of many of the region's children from meaningful…

The U.S. family--the backbone of earlier societies--is rapidly degenerating, indicating the need for a social or educational agency surrogate for family caring and supervision. Time has demonstrated value-neutral education's devastating effects on our nation and our social interactions. Educators must help emerging adolescents form realistic…

Survey of the general conditions of youth welfare departments in eastern Germany revealed severe money shortages. Increasing demands on youth welfare, rising social problems, right-wing extremism, and widespread unemployment among youths cause long-term social problems and prohibit effective youth welfare. (RJM)

The power of murals as a community communication medium and as a community building process is explored from a theoretical base in the concept of "free spaces" and "community strengths" with particular reference to murals in Latino communities. Skills that may be acquired by carrying out mural projects are detailed. (EMK)

High school students no longer keep company with the grown-ups they are about to become. Schools and districts have grown exponentially larger, impersonal, and bureaucratic, resembling post offices. Superintendents and boards who know their schools only through media representations or statistics fashion unrealistic policies. Coercion and…

Mental health service needs of American Indians in the Flagstaff (Arizona) area were surveyed among 156 adults, 28 adolescents. and parents of 51 children, focusing on help-seeking behaviors, desired services, factors promoting service use, adults' emotional and other problems, youth problems, and acculturation levels. Problems fell within the…

Presents interview with the director of an innovative program for troubled and delinquent youth in Czech Republic. Gives examples of developments in the field of high-risk youth including greater freedom given to teachers to develop new curricula, improved communication between diagnostic institutes and regular school systems, legislation to allow…

School violence has been linked to youth not recognizing the finality of death, extreme violence portrayed in the media, availability of guns, student reluctance to "tell," and lack of curriculum that teaches children anger management and problem-solving skills. Recommendations include making prevention programs a priority and…

Reports results of a study of the long term impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the psychosocial functioning among youths processed at Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1994 and January 1998. Results provide support for the sustained effect of FEI services. (BF)

There has been a growing interest in issues pertaining to how a young person chooses to participate (or not) in youth programs, both school based (for example, sports, drama, yearbook) and community based (for example, Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts, 4-H, sports, faith-based programs). Scholars, youth workers, policymakers, national organizations,…