1st Edition
The Parents' Perspective Delinquency, Aggression and Mental Health
Originally published in 1995, this book describes and analyzes the way urban parents view the problems of their adolescent children, and the way they have tried to cope with and seek help for them. Based on the study of parents as third-party help-seekers in and around Newark, New Jersey, the book sheds light on the types of problems experienced by adolescents in similar communities throughout the country.
By focusing on the parents, who usually bring the youth into the legal or mental health system, this book provides numerous unique insights into the nature of problems among urban youths. It describes how certain legal and psychological problems often coexist, examines the reasons for this, and shows how this knowledge can be used to improve the delivery of youth and family services.
Preface. Part I: The Problems 1. Overview 2. Past Research 3. Understanding the Problems 4. Explaining the Problems Part II: Third-Party Help-Seeking 5. Seeking Help 6. Becoming Clients 7. Utilizing Services 8. Whose Responsibility? 9. Implications for Policy and Services. Bibliography. Appendix A: Essex County Youth Study. Appendix B: Scoring the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Appendix C: Factor Analysis Results. Index.
Biography
Paul Lerman and Kathleen J. Pottick
Reviews for the original edition:
‘This is an important book for all professionals working with high risk families and children in urban communities: social workers, teachers, visiting nurses, as well as for researchers studying these families and the effectiveness of various policy and program interventions.’ – Rosemary C. Sarri, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
‘Asking parents why their children developed social and personal problems is novel. Drawing upon the parents’ perspective … led the authors to practical, research-based solutions and important theoretical contributions.’ – James C. Howell, Director, Research and Program Development Division Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice.
‘This is an important book that can help advance system reform efforts through the information gathered from the real experts – parents. The emphasis on comprehensive services at the neighborhood level is right on target.’ – Robert M. Friedman, Chair, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, USA
