Juvenile Behaviour Research Advocated

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28551, 2 April 1958, Page 14

Juvenile Behaviour Research Advocated

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 1. A research unit to investigate adolescent behaviour in New Zealand is advocated by the Dominion executive of the National Council of Women, which has been meeting in Wellington.

The executive urges the establishment of a well-endowed research unit, or greater financial assistance to any research scheme already instituted. As well, it would like the Department of Internal Affairs scheme for training instructors for youth leaders to be reintroduced. While these signs of “sickness” in the community are not confined to New Zealand, the executive believes this country has it own pattern of juvenile behaviour and for this reason it contends the establishment of a research unit is urgent. The executive believes that in cases of vandalism, the culprits should have to meet the cost and do the work of repairing the damage they have done. Adolescents found guilty of vandalism should be placed under supervision, but this should be educative, as well as restrictive. By 1960, when the number of children leaving school will have

increased by one-third, youth leaders, now in short supply, will be needed in greater numbers, the executive says. Other recommendations made by the executive were that more employers be engaged to organise leisure-time activities for employees; that patrolling of streets everywhere be increased and adolescents questioned if found there late at night or in the early hours of the morning (this questioning would not be with a view to conviction) and that the law regarding supply of liquor to persons under age be rigidly enforced. 1 Some youth clubs had records of successfully handling problem youths, the executive considered. The most essential factor in thia work appeared to be in a leader who had the capacity to meet youths on their own ground.