| If you developed your perspective on helping troubled | | | | change without even understanding what's happening |
| teens based on television programming, you'd think that | | | | there. The fact that these programs don't even |
| the only thing you'd need to positively transform a kid's | | | | consider root causes and fundamental sources of |
| life would be a screaming drill sergeant in to scream | | | | difficulties is reason enough to rule them out. |
| and holler until the child was sufficiently frightened into | | | | These programs also make the mistake of |
| changing his or her life around. | | | | underestimating the kids involved. The fact that a teen |
| It's regular fodder for talk shows, news shows and just | | | | is experiencing difficulties doesn't make him or her |
| about any other programming that addresses troubled | | | | stupid. They quickly realize that they can survive the |
| teens. The cameras show up at special "boot camps" | | | | boot camp experience without unnecessary hassle by |
| designed to reform kids' attitudes, mindsets and | | | | temporarily playing by its rules. When the camp ends, |
| behavior. These aggressive, tough programs look like | | | | they have no problem shifting back to their old |
| such an easy solution. A little screaming, a little yelling, a | | | | behaviors. |
| little fear and a sense of toughness is all it takes to | | | | These programs may occasionally produce results. In |
| change a life! They also connect with the part of us | | | | most cases, however, they produce very little more |
| that's legitimately angry with the behavior of troubled | | | | than temporary gains. They're failure to address the |
| teenagers. We find some catharsis thanks to the | | | | source of the problem really undercuts their ability to |
| intimidating drill sergeant. | | | | change lives. That's the reason why they should be |
| The problem with these programs isn't that they're | | | | rejected. |
| mean or too tough. Well, at least that isn't the most | | | | The people who run these programs are well-intended. |
| important problem. The real issue with these attempts | | | | They believe in the simplistic behavioralist thinking that |
| to change the behavior and attitude of troubled teens | | | | underlies the efforts, too. Regardless of intention or |
| is the simple fact that they don't work. | | | | motivation, however, the programs just don't produce |
| That's because they don't even try ot get at the | | | | real results. Don't believe everything you see on TV. |
| cause of the aberrant behavior. Instead of working | | | | Real help for struggling kids doesn't wear camoflauge |
| from the inside out, the boot camp approach works | | | | and it isn't based on scaring anyone. |
| from the outside, hoping to produce some inner | | | | |