NCJ Number
80244
Journal
Esperienze di rieducazione Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1977) Pages: 30-51
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The chief contribution neuropsychiatry can make to the prevention of juvenile delinquency is to fight against the alienation of young people from society, according to this article by four neuropsychiatrists from southern Italy.
Abstract
Attempts to seek causes of mental illness and juvenile delinquency must take into account such aspects of modern life as 'urban ghettoization,' the profound changes in family life that have occurred as the patriarchal structure disbands into nuclear family units, and the exploitation of women and children. In the midst of this, the expanding field of neuropsychiatry remains in a state of flux as it seeks to deal with the need to decentralize, professionalize, and fight for reform of schools and the juvenile justice system. Above all, there is need to limit the recourse to drugs and surgery in the treatment of mental illness. Juvenile delinquency is but one aspect of the general deviance in society. For instance, the higher incidence of juvenile delinquency in the south of Italy is seen as part of a larger economic and social problem for the underprivileged south. Prevention of delinquency thus cannot be left to technicians but must result from a political transformation of society that will lead to greater comprehension of human behavior. Child neuropsychiatrists can assist in juvenile delinquency prevention by fighting against institutionalization and 'socialization' of children and removing the barriers that divide groups. The south of Italy, especially, must guard against the importation of the 'separateness' mentality from the north. Eleven references are given.