NCJ Number
9625
Date Published
1972
Length
94 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON THE SERVICES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LOOKING GLASS, A DIVISION OF THE TRAVELERS AID SOCIETY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS.
Abstract
THE SAMPLE CHOSEN FOR INTERVIEW WAS CLIENTS, PARENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN FAMILY COUNSELING, AND COUNSELORS INVOLVED IN EACH CASE. THE MAJORITY OF CLIENTS WERE FEMALE, WHITE, AND HAD RUN AWAY FROM HOME. THE VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED TO ADOLESCENT CLIENTS INCLUDED INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, GROUP THERAPY, FOSTER HOUSING, LEGAL ADVICE, MONETARY, REFERRAL, AND MEDICAL AID. CONFLICT BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN WAS PERCEIVED AS THE MAJOR PROBLEM BY COUNSELORS, CLIENTS AND PARENTS ALIKE IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES, HOWEVER, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ADOLESCENTS FELT PARENT-CHILD CONFLICT HAD BEEN ALLEVIATED SINCE THEIR CONTACT AT LOOKING GLASS. ONE OF THE DISTINCT FEATURES OF LOOKING GLASS IS THE USE OF VOLUNTEER COUNSELERS. THESE YOUNG VOLUNTEERS, IN ADDITION TO THE YOUTHFUL PROFESSIONALS, LESSEN THE SOCIAL DISTANCE BETWEEN WORKER AND CLIENT. AT THE TIME OF THE FOLLOW-UP STUDY, MORE THAN FOUR-FIFTHS WERE STILL AT HOME AND HAD NOT RUN AWAY AGAIN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)