Subject: Steven Ackerman
Case Worker: Cynthia Wen
Steven is a young man at the crossroads. Despite the fact that he has been in trouble wit the Juvenile Court several times, I believe there is a chance that he can be directed toward a productive adulthood. At seventeen, Steven is at an age where he can be helped, but only if the proper courser is taken. If nothing is done, he may very soon find himself in adult court; and then it will probably be too late.
Steven’s problems have been caused largely by his home situation. His mother – to put it bluntly – ignores him completely. When Steven first got into trouble, she simply stopped having anything to do with him. She does not concern herself at all with his comings and goings, and she appears to have no concerns at all about his meals or his health. She rarely even speaks to him. Steven’s father, on the other hand, rules with an iron fist. Steven gets no guidance from his father, but he knows that he can get physical punishment if he does or says anything that displeases his father. The only type of attention Steven receives from a parent is in the form of physical abuse.
I feel that Steven would be better off in a foster home. I realize that this is an extreme measure, an action the Court is always reluctant to take. In this case, however, it is justified.
I have found Steven to be an intelligent boy – a quick thinking person with an analytical mind. He has done poorly in school, when he has attended, but he does appear to have unusual aptitudes for learning. Also, he has an unusually fine sense of humour, which was readily apparent to me even in my earliest conversations with him.
If Steven could be placed at the right foster home – an environment that would make him feel loved and wanted – I think important changes would take place. He needs a firm, but loving, authority figure to be concerned about his school attendance and his habits. He needs someone to assign him chores around the house, to give him some responsibilities in a home situation. I am sure that with responsibility will come self-esteem. This is the key, I think. Steven’s troubles in the first place grew from not having encouragement but, rather, having only harassment and abuses for the things he did wrong.
In summary, I suggest neither detention nor a return to his parents. I recommend that a new home be found for Steven, and that we keep a watchful eye on him. Steven needs and, I think, wants a normal life. With a bit of luck, he can have one. I am more hopeful in this case than I am in most of the others.
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