QUESTION:
Is it that the implementation of PPC may vary or facilities are applying the model incorrectly... I'm guessing that, in part, the relationship between the amount the youth feels validated and to some extent, that they have some say in choosing to act a certain way (ie, that it's not an authoritarian atmosphere) then that is when they respond and appropriately may develop this so-called postive peer culture that so few (I think) of us have actually experiences as actually positive--- would you say that this CAFETY position is the most sensible?
CAFETY: Given the wide variation of what PPC looks like in practice, rather than in theory, CAFETY questions the efficacy of this practice, particularly in unreguated facilities. We have heard a number of complaints coming from youth at facilites using PPC that this practice amounts to little more than an extenstion of authoritariansim to the higher up (meaning more obedient by necessity) youth by adults through a system of rigid system of rewards and punishment- rather than a promoting of any type of positivity, growth or community, as the name implies.
Charley's Repsonse:
Not enough time to give this topic the treatment it deserves, but I think that what someone in the residential treatment world is calling Positive Peer Culture is an oxymoron. Peer cultures, to be valid, have to be the natural creation of peers free to sort and sift through the elements of the larger culture they emerged from and rework it creatively with may permantations and factors that evolve according to the naturalistic forces in a peer world.
Adolescent development cannot be forced or directed by adults. In the old days we didn't have an adolescence. All youth unquestioningly followed the mandates of their village or tribe. The invention of adolescences 100 - 150 years ago allowed for humans to find their personal identity. This was a huge advantage for western countries whose youth were better prepared and more flexible as they entered the economy. To try to create a youth culture, or coopt youth with an overly seductive identity opportunity is dangerous. Hitler did this and the Islamisists are doing it now.
Positive and non-intrusive mentorship by adults works great for youth who crave support and attention from adults they can admire, but they need to be able to drop their adults at will and hold the ones they are hanging out with to the youths timing and to the youths agenda.None of this can happen in a residential program. Residential treatment impedes adolescent development and therefore creates a loss for a kid.
Charley
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