In Kansas, Juvenile offenders are sent to "Youth Centers". These
are merely Child prisons, lockdown facilities for kids. This style of
treatment goes against every idea of growth put forward in this class. In
this paper I will try to justify the use of residential treatment schemes
through the ideas found in several of this semesters authors; including
T.Huxtley, Rousseau, DuBois, Freud, A.Huxtley, and Mill. The Ideals set
forth by these intellectuals should be the basis for all treatment, to better
the individuals and society.
First, We can look to DuBois. He believes that people can change
their own consciousness. He shows this through his Immersion narrative.
This can't work in a youth center. The only cultural ideal here is the
Master/slave dialectic between staff and youth. The sides work apart. The
two can't join because one does not experience the other. There is no way
to be "above the veil" of their status.
In a residential treatment modality,
Relationship building is key to success. The youth need to feel the veil
has been lifted. It allows them to explore safely and see the world in a
greater view. The view as other is removed and a true balance displaces
the master / slave one.
Next, we can look at Mills Ideas on culture. He would like to elevate
the morals of the human mind. To do this, we must continually test the
standard. New ideas must be able to circulate freely. We must weigh how
all actions effect others. This can not be done in these Youth centers as
well. They have very specific codes and any questioning is reprimanded.
Cultural influx is at a standstill and Censor ship is at it's highest possible
level. A residential treatment modality gives all ideas a free shot. Self
Government, A system...