Art as Therapy for Juvenile Delinquents - research

Art as Therapy for Juvenile Delinquents

what does the article aim to address?

• Can art be used to help develop a sense of social responsibility?
• But can art also be used successfully to develop social responsibility?
• Can an art program be used as a valuable part of a total program for reforming young criminals?

what was the approach

• 'I set up a program in which the primary objective would be the develop- ment of an individual's self-respect and confidence'
• 'I stressed the fact that a relaxed friendly atmosphere is essential for self-expression and that the individuals should be allowed to select subjects and materials freely and to make pictures in their own way'

what are the conclusions

• 'Our limited experience at the juvenile center indicates that an art activity can be helpful in the treatment of delinquency'
• 'During the class period there was a noticeable improvement in the children's emotional control and attitudes to others'
• 'A noticeable improvement of the children was observed in terms of their self-control, self-respect and attitudes to others'

Other helpful quotes

• 'The most common remark was that they were unable to draw. They derided the efforts of those who tried, saying 'he can't do nothin'.' In general, they exhibited a severe lack of self-respect and self-confidence'
• 'as they realized that they would not be tested or ridiculed by their teachers, but, rather, praised for their efforts, they began to change their outlook'

Other helpful sources

• Lowenfeld and Brittain in their book state: 'There is great satisfaction in expressing one's own feelings and emotion in art. The child is expressing his own importance, through his own means, and the satisfaction he derives from his achievement is self-evident 
• 'It is important to stress the significance of the indivi- dual's ability to live cooperatively in his society. This ability cannot be developed unless the child learns to assume responsibility for the things he is doing… creative activities pro- vide an excellent means for taking this important step 

- V. Lowenfeld and W. L. Brittain, Creative and Mental Growth, 5th ed. (New York: MacMillan, 1970