Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them
Encyclopedia
Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them is a book by James Garbarino
Ph.D. that details the epidemic of violent male youths in America.
"Lost Boys makes an important contribution to the literature on the causes and prevention of youth violence."
"Jim Garbarino sounds the alarm about the spread of youth violence—. Focusing on the hurt and social alienation that are at the heart of youth violence, he offers not only insight and compassion, but also steps that will lead to prevention and intervention."
"Garbarino addresses timely questions of biological and social influences of violence from an
ecological perspective, and the results are very provocative."
However, as an academic, he experienced that some of the book's content "resulted in more questions than answers."
"James Garbarino presents a logical and compelling analysis of not only why boys turn violent, but also how this transformation from vulnerable young boy to violent offender, and possibly even "killer," can be interrupted."
"All in all, he has tackled an extremely difficult topic and done a very admirable job of making
some sense of it and recommending ways to improve things."
research, in addition to qualitative research
in the form of interviews with juvenile delinquents in detention and violent boys on death row.
The book addresses biological and environmental factors that contribute to aggression in boys, which in most cases is diagnosed by mental professionals as conduct disorder
or chronic mis-behaviour.
Additionally,Garbarino discusses that youths with violent backgrounds are to be understood as boys rather than as miniature adult criminals. Several passages assist parents in revising how they think about their teenaged sons. He
credits the work of Anna Freud
for adding to the misconception that adolescence is a disconnect from childhood.
Attachment disorder in infancy is one potential cause for violent and/or aggressive teenagers, linking the childhood with future behaviour and demeanour. Kids who experience trauma in the form of parental or caregiver abuse may depart emotionally from their physical self, called dissociation
. This may cause difficulties in feeling empathy and functionally socially, which Garbarino posits makes committing violent acts more likely.
The book provides preventive treatment plans and interventions, in addition to a systematic approach to reforming violent offenders.
In part 2 of his book, Garbarino details a comprehensive plan for both prevention and reclamation, which include but are not limited to:
The preventative interventions make use of family systems therapy, behaviour therapy
, whereas the treatments for reclamation are largely cognitive behavioural and existential.
Garbarino criticises the prison detention system that follows the boot camp model. He encourages the monastery model in its place, which has spiritual or religious leaders instead of wardens and disciplinarians. It encourages meditation and self reflection in the adolescent inmates, expanding their understanding of how their violent acts effect both victims and society's perception of them and the community they come from.
James Garbarino
James Garbarino Ph.D. is an author and Professor at Loyola University Chicago. He has specialized in studying what causes violence in children, how they cope with it and how to rehabilitate them. Dr...
Ph.D. that details the epidemic of violent male youths in America.
Critical Response
- Elliot Pittel M.D. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tufts UniversityTufts UniversityTufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
School of Medicine, Boston says:
"Lost Boys makes an important contribution to the literature on the causes and prevention of youth violence."
- The book has also received praise from Marian Wright EdelmanMarian Wright EdelmanMarian Wright Edelman is an American activist for the rights of children. She is president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund.-Early years:...
, President and Founder, Children's Defense FundChildren's Defense FundThe Children's Defense Fund is an American child advocacy and research group, founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman. Its motto Leave No Child Behind reflects its mission to advocate on behalf of children...
:
"Jim Garbarino sounds the alarm about the spread of youth violence—. Focusing on the hurt and social alienation that are at the heart of youth violence, he offers not only insight and compassion, but also steps that will lead to prevention and intervention."
- Michael Cunningham, at the Department of Psychology at Tulane UniversityTulane UniversityTulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
extends his mixed praise of the book:
"Garbarino addresses timely questions of biological and social influences of violence from an
ecological perspective, and the results are very provocative."
However, as an academic, he experienced that some of the book's content "resulted in more questions than answers."
- Sharon G. Portwood, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of Women's & Gender Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, offers her response to Lost Boys:
"James Garbarino presents a logical and compelling analysis of not only why boys turn violent, but also how this transformation from vulnerable young boy to violent offender, and possibly even "killer," can be interrupted."
- Deborah Lazarus Psy.D. says of Lost Boys:
"All in all, he has tackled an extremely difficult topic and done a very admirable job of making
some sense of it and recommending ways to improve things."
Part I
The book makes use of various quantitativeQuantitative
A quantitative property is one that exists in a range of magnitudes, and can therefore be measured with a number. Measurements of any particular quantitative property are expressed as a specific quantity, referred to as a unit, multiplied by a number. Examples of physical quantities are distance,...
research, in addition to qualitative research
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such...
in the form of interviews with juvenile delinquents in detention and violent boys on death row.
The book addresses biological and environmental factors that contribute to aggression in boys, which in most cases is diagnosed by mental professionals as conduct disorder
Conduct disorder
Conduct disorder is psychological disorder diagnosed in childhood that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated...
or chronic mis-behaviour.
Additionally,Garbarino discusses that youths with violent backgrounds are to be understood as boys rather than as miniature adult criminals. Several passages assist parents in revising how they think about their teenaged sons. He
credits the work of Anna Freud
Anna Freud
Anna Freud was the sixth and last child of Sigmund and Martha Freud. Born in Vienna, she followed the path of her father and contributed to the newly born field of psychoanalysis...
for adding to the misconception that adolescence is a disconnect from childhood.
Attachment disorder in infancy is one potential cause for violent and/or aggressive teenagers, linking the childhood with future behaviour and demeanour. Kids who experience trauma in the form of parental or caregiver abuse may depart emotionally from their physical self, called dissociation
Dissociation
Dissociation is an altered state of consciousness characterized by partial or complete disruption of the normal integration of a person’s normal conscious or psychological functioning. Dissociation is most commonly experienced as a subjective perception of one's consciousness being detached from...
. This may cause difficulties in feeling empathy and functionally socially, which Garbarino posits makes committing violent acts more likely.
Part II
Since many youth who commit violent offences develop in physical and psychological environments that are overstimulating, effective treatment has to include a different, more soothing milieu for the youth.The book provides preventive treatment plans and interventions, in addition to a systematic approach to reforming violent offenders.
In part 2 of his book, Garbarino details a comprehensive plan for both prevention and reclamation, which include but are not limited to:
- Programs for toddlers including a home visitor program offered to at risk mothers that help advise them on child rearing methods
- Early detection and treatment of aggressive behaviour in childhood
- Violence prevention programs in school
- Spiritual development
- Positive peer groups in adolescence.
The preventative interventions make use of family systems therapy, behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy, or behavior therapy is an approach to psychotherapy based on learning theory which aims to treat psychopathology through techniques designed to reinforce desired and eliminate undesired behaviours.-History:...
, whereas the treatments for reclamation are largely cognitive behavioural and existential.
Garbarino criticises the prison detention system that follows the boot camp model. He encourages the monastery model in its place, which has spiritual or religious leaders instead of wardens and disciplinarians. It encourages meditation and self reflection in the adolescent inmates, expanding their understanding of how their violent acts effect both victims and society's perception of them and the community they come from.
External links
- ISBN 978-0-385-49932-3, Random House Publishing
- Full-Text Summary at Psychpage