12 Rules for Raising Juvenile Delinquents
The 12 rules given for, raising delinquent children, were reported by the Police Department of Houston, Texas. We read and heed them in the attempt of avoiding delinquency. The 12 rules mentioned are:
1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe that the world owes him a living.2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. It will also encourage him to pick up cuter phrases, that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait till he is 21. Then let him decide for himself.
4. Avoid the use of the word “wrong.” It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is getting a raw deal.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes, clothes . . . Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility unto others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the drinking glasses and silver are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
9. Satisfy every craving for food, drink, comfort … See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, policemen! They are all prejudiced against your child anyway.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, “I never could do anything with him.”
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will certainly have it.