'DUE TO ALARMING INCREASE IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY"

AFT SEEKS COMPULSORY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN UNDER 18

Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On August 31, 1925, Associated Press reports that the American Federation of Teachers "will seek compulsory education* for all children less than 18 years old as a remedy for the 'alarming increase in juvenile delinquency**.'"

The announcement was made by F. G. Stecker, secretary of the AFT.

According to Mr. Stecker, "inadequate educated young persons grow delinquent morally as well as in industrial and commercial advance."

*compulsory education is a legal requirement which requires children to attend school for a specific period of time to ensure a foundational education for all.

**juvenile delinquency involves criminal acts committed by minors (under age of 18).

SOURCE

"Seek Compulsory Education as Cure To Juvenile Crime," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 31, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

AFT GOTV Rally

Pittsburgh, PA

September 22 2008

www.flickr.com/

"DIVORCE & SEPARATIONS ARE ROOT OF THE EVIL"

NATION'S CAPITAL HAS 90% CHILD DELINQUENCY RATE 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 18, 1925, The Evening Star reports that "ninety percent of child delinquency in the National Capital last year was traceable to unsatisfactory home conditions."

More than fifty percent of delinquencies were due to homes where one or both parents were missing or there were step-parents involved.

The rate of delinquency is higher than five other comparable cities in the United States.

Joseph W. Sanford, Chief Probation Officer of Juvenile Court says...

"Juvenile Delinquency* is bound up with home conditions.  Divorce, separations and other domestic difficulties are at the root of the evil."

*juvenile delinquency is criminal or anti-social behavior by minors (underage, usually under 18).  Behaviors include truancy, underage drinking, theft, assault & drug-related crimes.

SOURCE

"Home Conditions Blamed For Child Delinquency Here," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 18, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Cure Juvenile Delinquency In The Slums"

Posters of the WPA

Childrens Bureau Centennial

Oct 28 2011

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"AT LEAST WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM"

JFK COMMENTS ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy held his second televised news conference in the State Department Auditorium here in the Nation's Capital.

Mrs. May Craig* asked the President...

"In your State of the Union Message, you spoke of juvenile delinquency**.  There is growing concern...about the effect on young people of crime and violence in the movies and on the air. 

Is there anything you can do about it, or may you ask for legislation?"

President Kennedy responded...

"We...are considering what legislation could be enacted...(but) when you get into movies, it's very limited--the amount of influence which the Federal Government can exert is quite limited...quite properly.  But at least we are concerned with the general problem."

The President continued...

"We can do something about the living conditions and the atmosphere in which these children grow up, and we are going to do something about it."

*Elisabeth May Adams Craig (1889-1975) was born in Coosaw Mines, SC & became the Washington correspondent for Gannett newspapers.  Her "Inside Washington" column ran for 50 years.  She always wore a hat & gloves "so that people would remember who she is."

**Juvenile Delinquency is the habitual commission of criminal acts by a young person below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible.

JFK+50 NOTE

At a later news conference, Mrs. Craig asked JFK why he was "managing the news,"  the President turned the question back to her & asked what she objected to in his administration's treatment of the news.  She answered, "I don't believe in managed news at all.  I think we ought to get everything we want."  JFK laughed and said, "I think you should too, Mrs. Craig, I'm for that."  

SOURCE

"The President's News Conference of February 1, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy," January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1962.

 

 

May Craig Interviews William E. Borah

Photo by Harris & Ewing (1935)

Library of Congress Image